PAC members threaten legal action over results of elective conference

Some members of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) have threatened to challenge the outcomes of the weekend's elective conference in court, claiming that the party’s new leadership had been elected by 481 bogus delegates. 

The members, who requested to remain anonymous, said branches are preparing to take legal action against the party following the elective conference that was held in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. 

These are members who wanted the party’s President, Mzwanele Nyhontso, to be ousted at the elective congress, following the PAC’s decision to participate in the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

The members said this decision was taken based on “stomachs and desperation” to get jobs. 

“AfriForum and Solidarity have never been part of the PAC agenda, and therefore, it came as a surprise to the party when it was reported that the Nyhontso's of this world were meeting them,” said the members. 

This was after the PAC in May facilitated a meeting between the ANC and AfriForum to address national issues, including AfriForum's concerns about white South Africans' safety.

Nyhontso, who faced off against senior national executive committee (NEC) member Mtutuzeli Mama, has been re-elected to his position.

The sources said the congress was under threat from those who are against the participation of the PAC in the GNU. 

They claimed that statistics and credentials had been manipulated at the conference.

“Constitutionally, the congress collapsed because it had degenerated into chaos. By 12 in the afternoon, the issue of credentials had not been resolved, because it was controversial in every step,” said the members. 

Nyhontso did not respond to calls and messages on Sunday.

The party’s spokesperson, Analisa Mpisane, denied the allegations, saying the leadership was elected in a smooth and fair electoral process, adding that the party would also issue a press statement. 

According to the sources, 706 members were accredited to attend the congress, but only 481 delegates were present. 

“The congress has collapsed constitutionally. The reason is that they have started the process of elections without (taking into account the) objection to the adoption of credentials. There are still outstanding grievances from branches, especially Makwetu region and other branches,” said one source, who added that a proposal was also made that a committee should be appointed to investigate the discrepancies.

The source said the proposal was ignored.

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