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- There is strong opposition to proposed new rules for ANC election processes in the run-up to the party's national conference.
- In particular, there was opposition to the proposed shortlisting of three people for each position.
- It was said to be a violation of the party's constitution.
There was vehement opposition to stringent new criteria for internal ANC election processes at a special national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, particularly calls for the shortlisting of three candidates during nominations, and for candidate vetting.
The NEC heard that some of the new rules spearheaded by former ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe violated the party's constitution.
A source, who attended the meeting, told News24:
The source noted that NEC members raised concerns about who decides on those who are disqualified from electoral processes, and they raised red flags about the possible abuse of the process.
"Opposition [to the] vetting of candidates [was mainly voiced] by those worried they may be disqualified," the source said.
Announcing the new criteria for those eligible for election at the December conference, Motlanthe, who chairs the ANC's electoral committee, reiterated last week that the resolutions the committee made were aimed at addressing weaknesses and the manipulation of party processes.
Motlanthe also stressed that the new rules would "deliver candidates and leaders with the capacity, integrity and support needed to lead the ANC and government".
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Sources within the ANC added that the "selection of electoral officers at branches" was also rejected when it was actually approved at the last NEC meeting.
Those who were opposed to this were said to have cited that it did not align with the constitution of the ANC.
"The [special NEC meeting] was meant to just receive progress on implementation [of this already approved selection of electoral officers at branches] but as expected, [the meeting] was used as an opportunity to review this decision," an NEC member said.
Included in the numerous ways in which the ANC seeks to elect the best for leadership positions, according to Motlanthe, is a vetting process through which only three suitable candidates can be chosen for each position.
Motlanthe said:
He added that leadership selection was even more important in the run-up to the 2024 national elections and that branches should approach it with serious "political analysis and integrity".
"They (branches) must approach leadership selection with a 'through the eye of a needle' approach. The ANC's success depends on the quality, capacity and make-up of the NEC. The public face of the ANC must reflect values that are non-racial, non-sexist, and represent the diversity of SA. [They] must have leadership and political capacity, a track-record, public standing and integrity to lead ANC," Motlanthe added.
