By Akani Nkuna
The Eastern Cape High Court has dismissed the ANC’s applications for leave to appeal a judgment declaring the party’s Provincial Task Team (PTT) in the province unlawful and invalid, leaving the ANC without recognised interim leadership in the Eastern Cape.
The ruling follows legal action brought by ANC members Sinethemba Mpande, Nompumelelo Mzothwa and Lwazi Rotya, who in March obtained an interdict blocking the party’s planned 10th provincial elective conference over alleged membership irregularities and disputes relating to conference processes.
In May, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula appointed a Provincial Task Team, led by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, to oversee the party’s affairs in the province pending the convening of a new elective conference.
The three applicants subsequently challenged the appointment of the Mabuyane-led PTT in the Makhanda High Court, arguing that it contravened the Constitution, the ANC’s internal guidelines and their contractual rights as party members.
The High Court ruled in their favour, declaring the PTT unlawful and invalid.
In a statement on Thursday night, the ANC said:
“The ANC notes the judgment delivered by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Makhanda relating to the applications for leave to appeal and the Section 18(2) application arising from the earlier judgment concerning the establishment of the Eastern Cape Provincial Task Team.”
“The ANC has exercised its constitutional right to pursue further legal recourse and will petition the Supreme Court of Appeal.”
