GEORGE NEWS - The provincial ANC's spokesperson, Sifiso Mtsweni, has defended the party's Ward 21 candidate selection process following last week's protest and the memorandum it had received from ANC members and supporters in George.

The group raised their concerns about the process, including the nomination of candidates and the way in which the meetings and voting were conducted.

Mtsweni said the ANC had followed its approved candidate selection guidelines, and that the process in Ward 21 had been particularly closely monitored because of tensions within the branch.

He said after some earlier disputes, it was agreed that all five candidates would participate in an open voting process on 19 July. The regional office administered the process using the IEC voters' roll, while candidates were allowed to appoint 'party agents' to oversee proceedings.

According to Mtsweni, the voting took place without a meeting, with voters arriving with their IDs, casting their ballots and leaving. The counting was conducted openly in the presence of the candidates' agents, after which the results were announced publicly.

"All candidates signed off on the results, and not a single dispute was lodged," he said.

ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni

Mtsweni said the ANC was therefore surprised by the subsequent protest. He added that both the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee (PDRC) and Provincial List Committee (PLC) had upheld the outcome.

The successful candidate is now undergoing the ANC's vetting process, which includes criminal record and pending case checks, as well as verification of qualifications, identity, Sars compliance, directorships and credit records.

Mtsweni said the regional leadership had been instructed to meet with branch members and the community to explain the process and address possible misinformation.

"We also appreciate the right of our members and public to protest and raise whatever issue they feel strongly about; however, these must be within the parameters of established dispute resolution mechanisms and in a disciplined manner that seeks to foster strength rather than weakening the movement," he said.

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