15 February 2000
A high powered ANC delegation led by the President, Comrade Thabo Mbeki and the Secretary General Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe, this week-end visited the West Rand region to assist in resolving a dispute within the ranks of the organization.
This dispute among members of the organization had led to a perception that there were two rival ANC branches in the Krugersdorp area and the national leadership had been approached to resolve this untenable situation. ANC members in the region poured their hearts out for four hours on issues which concerned them, whilst the leadership listened carefully to such views.
Reports given were able to assist the national leadershipin identifying some organizational shortcomings. These included methods used in handlind daily issues as well as delays in addressing grievances by members.The leadership also detected lapses in the observance of organizational discipline. The regional membership were advised to respect the leadership that they themselves had elected and to air their grievances through their respective branches, which are the basic structures of the ANC.
The national leadership commended the regional executive committee for the good work done since the Mafikeng Conference. The number of branches in the region had increased from 11 to 26.This good work, the leadership warned, could be undermined by unnecessary conflicts.ANC leadership indicated that the resolution of problems should be expedited.
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Issued by Smuts Ngonyama
African National Congress
Head of the Presidency and Communications
51 Plein Street
Johannesburg