This decision by the ANC’s top six to order the conference to resume and its results to be released is an indictment on the Eastern Cape’s provincial leaders.

They stand accused of having been at the centre of the chaotic gathering two weeks ago that came to an abrupt end after members of the provincial executive committee (PEC) decided to dissolve the conference and withhold the results.

The ANC’s national leaders, including ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, ruled the OR Tambo regional executive committee must reconvene the conference from August 24 to August 26 with the same adopted credentials; that the electoral commission be instructed to announce the results and conclude its work; and that more national executive committee members be deployed to the region to oversee the conclusion of the conference, said an ANC leader.

The ANC heavyweights’ decision was a major boost for those lobbying for President Jacob Zuma to be replaced. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale have been touted as possible ANC presidential successors.

The results of the conference, which were leaked to the media, show that the anti-Zuma camp in the region had won by a slight margin.

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