Gauteng High Court win to boost Xhakaza's ANC Gauteng chair race

Stakes are high as Ekurhuleni showdown unfolds

- By Queenin Masuabi

A Johannesburg High Court ruling has paved the way for the 8th ANC Ekurhuleni conference to go ahead, with frontrunner Doctor Xhakaza expected to be elected as the chairperson of the region.

The court on Saturday ruled against interdicting the regional conference, which is underway this weekend in Kempton Park. The aggrieved branch members from the region argued in court that nomination processes were led by an interim structure whose office term had expired.

Xhakaza is the incumbent and holds the mayoral chain of the Ekurhuleni metro. He will be contesting the former regional treasurer Sello Sekhokho, who still fancies his chances of causing an upset.

The ongoing turmoil between the two factions in the region reached the court this week.

The case was believed to be a means by the anti-Xhakaza group to scupper his chances of emerging victorious.

The court ruled that the application is a “textbook example” of self-created urgency.