Tshabalala speaks on his acquittal

By Masilo Malakwane

QWAQWA – Suspended provincial Chief Whip Vusi Tshabalala says party members should first use the party’s constitution as a tool to resolve their differences, before resorting to courts.

He made the remarks after being found not guilty by the ANC disciplinary committee on two charges.

He was removed from his position  as Chief Whip of the ANC in the Free State Legislature following allegations that he had arranged a meeting with other party members, where he had asked them to work with the All Unemployment Labour Alliance (AULA) in last year’s local government elections.

This publication has seen the names of the ANC members in Thabo Mofutsanayana District on the   AULA party list during last November local elections.

The judgement by the provincial disciplinary committee indicates that there was no conclusive evidence linking Tshabalala to all charges levelled against him, including a radio interview record in which he said the party was working with opposition to remove him from office.

Tshabalala said his representative, Dr Mathews Phosa had taught him that party members should use the party’s constitution to resolve internal disputes.

“We should work together as members of the ANC. We have our own and different choices in electing party leadership but in the end, we must know that conference decisions are final,” he said.

Regarding his earlier remarks in which he was seen criticising the current Provincial interim committee convenor, Mxolisi Dukwana, Tshabalala said it was simply a political game that should not be taken personal.

“I know that the convenor is a mature leader who knows the political game, hence he was trusted to lead the province,” he said.

However, he did not rule out rumours that he is vying for the regional chairmanship of Thabo Mofutsanyana.

“Rumours will be rumours, sometimes they become reality. But I will have to go back to my branch and listen to it. However, should it decide that I should avail myself for the position, I’m ready,” Tshabalala said.