Uncertainty prevailed at the ANC Free State provincial conference after the registration of delegates collapsed last night when some disgruntled delegates vandalized the registration board in Bloemfontein demanding its return, as their names had disappeared from the list of registered delegates.
Some disgruntled delegates were arrested when they clashed with police outside Imvelo Safari Lodge, the venue of the provincial conference demanding restoration of the delegate registration.
Police fired rubber bullets to try to stop the situation threatening to stop 9Th The ANC provincial conference is scheduled for January 20 – 22.
Chairs were scattered in the hall and the ANC’s Interim Provincial Committee was forced to abandon the registration process as delegates linked to IPC chairman Mxolisi Dukwana sang protest songs to voice their anger at their exclusion.
The conference started on Friday afternoon but had to be postponed due to delays due to the registration crisis.
But there will be no early start on Saturday morning before the registration crisis is resolved. Some delegates laughed at the recent protests to demand the release of those arrested.
WATCH: ANC Free State Conference postponed after complaints by delegates led to chaos, clashes with police
It is understood that there are new attempts to continue the process. During a media briefing on Friday night, the IPC assured delegates and the media that the conference should continue at some point as preparations have been completed.
There is a tight contest between Dukwana, who is the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs and the former executive mayor of Mangaung, Thabo Manyoni for the position of provincial chairman. Other candidates touted for the same position include Free State Prime Minister Sisi Ntombela and MEC for education Tate Makgoe.
There is a strong push from Dukwana’s camp for him to win the race, but Manyoni has launched an intense battle to take the important chairmanship position, putting the winner in position to become the next prime minister.
While Dukwana has the advantage as the coordinator of the IPC but Manyoni has campaigned in branch campaigns in the province including public political lectures.
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