By Palesa Motshabi
BLOEMFONTEIN –Fissures which threatened to rip the ruling ANC in Free State apart during the run-up to its provincial elective conference in June could reappear following unveiling of a new leadership of the radical uMkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans Association.
While the new leadership claimed legitimacy, commentators said the development could result in further ostracisation of the group led by former leader Gregory Nthatisi.
Nthatisi and former MEC of Tourism Nxolisi Dukwana fought to stop incumbent ANC provincial chairman Ace Magashule from being re-elected.
The new leadership, has pledged its support to the “duly elected leadership of the ANC” and threatened to deal with “evil forces” that want to derail and sully the image of the “ANC and its leadership”.
Manana Radebe, the new provincial secretary told journalists on Thursday, September 6 the new leadership would fight to the hilt to protect the ANC from its detractors. Without elaborating, Radebe said the “evil forces” had tried “to use the name of the MKMVA to attack the ANC and its leadership”.
“These are the same people who are against the government who do not have good intentions in the government and also spending the government money while we are striving for a better life,” said Radebe.
Nthatisi would not be drawn into commeting when reached by telephone on Thursday, September 6. “I am in a meeting and I will only be available tomorrow (Friday, September 7) as I am out of the province at the moment,” he said.
The new MKMVA leadership was elected at a conference in Zamdela between August 31 and September 1, although the old leadership was conspicuously absent from the news briefing.
The new MKMVA leaders are: Motsie Mofokeng (Provincial Chairperson), Mbuso Radebe (Provincial Deputy Chairperson), Manana Sechoaro (Provincial Secretary), Zamile Solani (Provincial Deputy Secretary) Mpho Khoabane (Provincial Treasurer).