Lynn Williams
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor and President of the former Northern Alliance Party, Gary Van Niekerk, has announced that the party has officially changed its name to the National Alliance.
Van Niekerk confirmed the name change at a media briefing when he addressed pronouncements that had been made of a change in the party's leadership at the weekend.
According to Van Niekerk, no legally sanctioned event was convened by his party.
He said the party's constitution clearly states that a National Conference can only take place by a majority vote of the Federal Working Committee, by a majority vote of the Federal Executive Committee, and by a petition of 1000 party members that are in good standing.
"It was simply an event arranged by a group of individuals, of which some had prior links to the erstwhile Northern Alliance. They did not manage to get 1000 votes by petition. In fact, 80% of those that signed the petition are not members in good standing with the party and some signatures were forged," said Van Niekerk.
Jappie Jansen, who is the newly elected leader says he believes that decisions taken at the weekend's National Conference remain valid. Jansen stated that the correct constitutional guidelines had been followed when they convened the meeting.
The National Alliance intends on contesting the National Elections in 2024.
