The ANC in the Western Cape may go into next year’s national elections without a provincial chairperson as the party fears a leadership race could divide it ahead of the polls.
The ANC was left with a leadership vacuum when former chairperson, Marius Fransman, was suspended from the party for five years in 2016 following a sexual harassment scandal involving a 21-year-old Stellenbosch woman.
The position has since been held by the provincial acting chairperson, Khaya Magaxa.
Dullah Omar regional secretary Vuyiso JJ Tyhalisisu told Independent Media there were no talks in the province to replace Fransman.
“There is a PGC (Provincial General Council) meeting next Sunday, something of that nature may be brought up in that meeting, but to my knowledge as a member of the Provincial Executive Committee there is no pending election of the chairperson of the Western Cape,” said Tyhalisisu.
He said the National Executive Committee (NEC) is busy visiting all provinces to make a determination of readiness and whether conferences to elect new chairpersons could possibly cause divisions.
“They have not been here. To my knowledge there is no pending election to replace Fransman. The PGC will be held next year June; whether or not we will replace Marius is not a decision we have spoke about,” said Tyhalisisu.
Cameron Dugmore, ANC MPL in the Legislature, Sammy Claasen, ANC West Coast regional spokesperson, Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkongi and former ANC MP Randy Pieterse are all reportedly set throw their hats into the ring for the top job.
Western Cape provincial secretary, Faiez Jacobs, said the party was still not at liberty to divulge the list of contenders for the top job.