The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape held an ordinary PEC meeting from the 10th March to 11th March 2019, at Canon James Calata House in King Williams Town.
The meeting was opened by observing a moment of silence as a sign of respect to the late Cde Joe Tshayingwe Ngalo, a member of both the ANC and the ANC Veterans League in the Province.
Comrade Ngalo joined the liberation struggle in Port Elizabeth at a very young age. He was trained at Odessa in the Soviet Union and in the Kongwa Camp in Tanzania. He was one of the MK soldiers that participated in the Sipolilo campaign where he narrowly escaped death. He worked closely with comrades such President OR Tambo and Moses Kotana and upon his return from exile he remained active in the ANC and ANC Veteran’s League structures. We will remember him for his outspoken character especially on the renewal and restoration of the integrity of the ANC which he served his entire life. Indeed, we have lost a giant.
On behalf of the entire ANC membership in the Province, the PEC sends sincere condolences to the Ngalo family, his comrades in the Veterans League, MKMVA and the people of South Africa which he served with diligence and honesty.
PEC was saddened by the tragic passing of six (6) kids from Popopo Public School who died in Mount Fletcher due to floods, as they were crossing a river for them to access education at their school.The PEC appealed to our government to seamlessly act with speed to address these catastrophic social infrastructure backlogs. Once again, we convey our deepest condolences to the families and the school affected.
Consistent with the traditions of the ANC, the PEC received a political overview from the Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and a report of the Provincial Working Committee (PWC), which both serve as a guiding tool to the resolutions of the meeting.
Cde Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane pointed out that one of the good things about elections is that they expose our organisational weaknesses and challenges, they help us identify branches that are not functional which exist purely for conference purposes. He futher alluded to the fact that elections give us an objective account on the state of our structures at all levels of the organisation and expose the abilities and capacity of the individuals that serve in those structures. He stressed the need that we must work together to overcome our organisational challenges, this includes members and structures of the organisation allowing themselves to be led. The mushrooming and proliferation of political parties for purposes to contest elections must wory us as these are acts of selfish opportunists. Let’s put them under microscopic view and stop celebrating them when they come back after elections.
Guided by our six pillars that anchors our international work, namely: Building a better Africa and the world, Continental and international solidarity, Party-to-Party , intra-party and multiparty relations, Transformation of Global Governance, Policy Development issues and Campains, the PEC reaffirmed the view that international relations must remain a pillar of the ANC’s strategic approach, therefore:
PEC expressed its support and solidarity with the people of Venezuela. In line with South Africa’s position, and all other progressive countries in the world, we are against any form of imposed unconstitutional change in Venezuela. As such, we support President Maduro as elected by the people of Venezuela and call for the international community to allow the people of Venezuela to self-determine their fate. We must condemn the US and their allies on their illegal recognition of a self-imposed president, an act that is a violation of international law and meant to undermine the sovereignty of Venezuela.
PEC resolved that we must actively participate in the upcoming annual Israeli Apartheid Week and pledge our solidarity with the people of Palestine by joining the activities that will be organised in support of the peaceful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign.
The PEC also noted the upcoming by-elections in Nyandeni Local Municipality, Ward 21, Ward 18 in Ntsika Yethu Municipality, Ward 2 at Beyers Naude Municipality, Ward 35 and 37 in Nelson Mandela Bay. As it is expected, the ANC together with the people will field ward candidates with the aim of reclaiming our base and strengthen our service delivery machinery. We have instructed our election structures to start preparing for these by-elections by engaging our communities on the good work the ANC has done over years, but most importantly listening to our people’s concerns and responding to them as speedily as it is practically possible.
Local Government Matters
The PEC took a decision to strengthen its oversight role on ANC Caucuses and on Local Municipalities in general, in line with this resolution the PEC Officials and PWC conducted work on various Regions as challenges arises .
Amathole District Municipality
The municipality is facing a lot of administrative and political challenges. PEC resolved that the municipality must create a conducive environment between the employer and the employees in relation to the standoff involving 87 employees.
Amahlathi Local Municipality
In the process of intervening for the puprose of stabilising the political situation at Amahlathi Municipality, the PEC reaffirmed the decision to effect changes in the Executive which led to the following:
1. Mayor – Cde Hobo
2. Speaker – Cde Mxolisi Mjikelo
3. Chief Whip – Cde Dumisani Mzili
The PEC resolved to support the decision of COGTA to place the municipality under Section 139 (b) and allow an Administrator to take charge of the administration.
All finalized investigation reports should be tabled before Council and be implemented.
Chris Hani Region
The PEC received a report on the state of governance in relation to the Sakhisizwe and Emalahleni Local Municipalities.
The Provincial Deployment Committee has been given the task to consider changes in the Executive of both municipalities.
Dr WB Rubusana Region
On the Dr WB Rubusana , the PEC received a progress report on the work done in the implementation of the recommendations of the National Dispute Resolution Committee and the Nelson Mandela Funeral Report.
PEC resolved to formally direct the Dr WB Rubusana REC , under strict supervision of the PEC deployees , to ensure that both the recommendations from the Nelson Mandela Funeral saga and the National Dispute Resolution Committee reports are implemented with urgency.
Ingquza Hill Municipality
The municipality has been one of the best performing in the Province in terms of its audit outcomes and both administrative and political stability. Recent events in the municipality has threatened it’s stability , including ability to discharge its constitutional responsibility. Amongst issues were the arrest of former Mayor and Municipal Manager owing to defiance of court orders .Therefore the PEC resolved to affirm the PWC decision to effect changes in the Executive and a new Mayor, Cde Bambezakhe Goya be appointed.
The PEC assigned the PSO to develop a clear Accountability Framework which articulates the role and responsibilities of cadres operating in the state. The Accountability Framework must include provisions for enforcement and consequence management where cadres do not perform as expected.
In line with the Electoral Commission as resolved at the ANC’s 54th National Conference in order to ensure ANC public representatives undergo a transparent selection and capacitation process to assume leadership and deployment, the PEC resolved to conduct interviews for all potential candidates for Executive: MEC’s , Mayors , Speakers, Chief Whips and MMC’s .
Government Planning & Implementation
The PEC agreed that there is a clear evidence of sufficient policy provision developed and adopted by the ANC , but the missing link is coordinated macro-planning and execution of the policies. PEC is of the view that IDP’s of municipalities should remain the central planning tool in which all spheres of government participate to address alignment of planning .
The PEC is humbled by the response from various communities who have reacted positively in our door to door campaign. PEC made a commitment to ensure that all members and structures of the organisation continue to work with communities to ensure that the ANC continues to govern in the Eastern Cape Province.
The PEC reiterated the importance of working with all sectors of society to defeat poverty, inequality and unemployment. It also reiterated the commitment of the ANC to building a nonracial, non-sexist, united, democratic and prosperous South Africa for which many patriots even perished for.
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary
Comrade Lulama Ngcukayitobi
Enquiries:
ANC Media & Liaison Officer
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No : 0636878267/ 0731176194
Gift Ngqondi
Head of Communications
Mobile: 0848439706
