406 branches to attend ANC conference

More than 400 branches will attend the ANC's Gauteng elective conference, the party said yesterday.

"The provincial conference will be attended by 406 branches in good standing which represent 89 percent of branches in Gauteng," secretary Boyce Manali told reporters in Johannesburg.

"All our five ANC regions, including the leagues, held successful councils in line with the conference guidelines."

The conference would be held in Pretoria over the weekend.

Structures and branches in the province had submitted their nominations.

Current Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile looked set to retain his position and Premier David Makhura his post as his deputy.

Other nominees for the top five positions are Health MEC Hope Papo for provincial secretary, former deputy health minister Gwen Ramokgopa as his deputy, and Gauteng legislature speaker Ntombi Mekgwe for treasurer.

Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema has told hundreds of supporters in Polokwane that he is ready to stand trial, after his case was postponed yesterday.

The trial against Malema and his co-accused was earlier postponed in the Limpopo High Court to August 3, 2015 because not all counsel were available.

Malema, On-Point Engineering directors Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagisho Dichabe and two companies, On-Point Engineering and Gwama Properties, face charges of racketeering and 52 other counts, including fraud.

In March, corruption charges against Malema's business associates - Selbie Manthatha, his wife Helen Moreroa and his brother Makgetsi Manthatha - were dropped.

The two brothers and Moreroa were initially charged with Malema, Gwangwa and Dichabe in September 2012. They were accused of misrepresenting themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52m contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.

It is alleged in court papers that Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, and that Malema's Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point.

The state alleges Malema substantially benefited from the tender payment to On-Point, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz.

Following his appearance yesterday, Malema walked up the road to where his supporters, who held a night vigil for him, were waiting.

Malema told the crowd he was not afraid and had nothing to hide.