Mabuyane blasts rivals for derailing ANC provincial meet

Eastern Cape Chairperson Oscar Mabuyane has accused those who derailed the party’s provincial conference of being petty and having “personal jealousies”.

Mabuyane said that those who took the party to court to stop the conference were pushing personal agendas and did not have the party’s best interests at heart.

Mabuyane addressed the remaining delegates on Saturday to communicate the party's reason to call off the conference and to also apologise to party members.

Mabuyane said that the persistence of “factionalism, personality cults, and narrow interests” has created fertile ground for infiltration and manipulation in the party.

He described what is currently underway as “the seeds of counter-revolution”.

READ: Eastern Cape ANC to hold another PEC meeting amid conference dilemmas

"But let us be clear about what is at stake. This conference is not merely about filling positions, but was about how to we strengthen and rebuild the ANC."

He also warned against personal ambitions of certain individuals, taking a slight dig at provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, who was contesting him for the top job.

"These are the words of our greatest strategist, Oliver Reginald Tambo, who warned us: ' We must put an end to petty squabbles and personal jealousies and unite our people around a common programme of action.”

Mabuyane said that the party will meet with national officials on Monday at Luthuli House to debrief them on what happened over the weekend.