ANC Eastern Cape ready for conference despite 'frivolous' legal hurdles

The ANC in the Eastern Cape says it's ready for its provincial conference in East London this weekend, despite what it called "frivolous" disputes over the process.

Provincial Chairperson and Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the conference, which starts on Friday, was critical for the party’s future as it prepares for the local government elections later this year.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula also said the party would be defending itself in court against an attempt to interdict the conference.

The run-up to the ANC’s 10th provincial conference hit several hurdles, including a High Court challenge to halt the event.

However, Mabuyane said they would not be stopped by internal disputes and legal threats. He said they expected 1,300 branch delegates to be in attendance.

"So those are the kind of issues we are dealing with. But we are seeing more frivolous disputes; even the litigation itself, looking at it and the issues raised, are chance takers. They are more frivolous as well and are meant to disrupt," said Mabuyane.

Mbalula added that the party was prepared to defend its processes in court.

"We are ready to prove our case. We believe that everything else that has been presented to us is not factual, but we will prove that in court," he said.

Once the conference gets underway at the ICC on Friday, Mabuyane is set to lock horns with his former ally, Provincial Secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, for the province's top job.