Vote buying claims letter is fake - ANC Electoral Committee

The committee chaired by former ANC deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was responding to a letter purportedly sent by Thabang Mdletshe, a delegate from Ethekwini in KwaZulu-Natal.

The party held its 55th National conference at Nasrec earlier this month.

In the letter the complaint wants the committee to disqualify ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, and Treasurer General contender Bejani Chauke over allegations of votes buying during the conference.

Secretary of the Electoral Committee Chief Livhuwani Matsila says Thabang Mdletshe has since distanced himself from the letter.

"We have interacted with Thabang Mdlethese and he has indicated that the letter is fraudulent and is not written by him, and is taking up the matter with the regional secretary and the leadership of the ANC that has since advised him to open a case of fraud at the nearest police station because this is a serious matter of raising allegations without evidence."

Meanwhile, Ethekwini regional secretary Musa Nciki says the people behind the fake letter want to create an impression that the conference voting system was rigged.

"As the Ethekwini region, we distance ourselves from the fake letter. If there was a letter the comrade would have approached us and we would follow up from there.

"We did call Mdletshe and he said he will write a letter to us to distance himself from the matter. 

"I think the person who wrote this letter wants to create animosity as if there was something wrong with the conference; hence we have accepted the results and we will support the new leadership elected."

The ANC conference was adjourned on 20 December and is expected to resume on January 5 to conclude business.

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