By Johnathan Paoli
The ANC in Limpopo has firmly defended the legitimacy of its 10th Peter Mokaba regional elective conference despite chaotic scenes, allegations of irregularities, and a dramatic walkout by some delegates.
The ANC in Limpopo has firmly defended the legitimacy of its 10th Peter Mokaba regional elective conference despite chaotic scenes, allegations of irregularities, and a dramatic walkout by some delegates.
Addressing the media post-conference, Limpopo ANC Secretary Reuben Madadzhe refuted claims of illegitimacy, asserting that the event adhered to the party’s constitutional guidelines and was attended by senior party officials
“We stand by that decision. The conference is not bogus, it is a legitimate conference of the ANC,” said Madadzhe.
“You will never have a bogus conference with four Provincial Executive Committee [PEC] officials in attendance. It meets the standards, and we congratulate the newly elected leadership of Peter Mokaba,”
The two-day conference, held at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, was marred by tensions from the onset.
The event had already been postponed twice due to unresolved branch-level disputes and faced a legal challenge earlier in the week.
An urgent interdict launched by five members aiming to halt proceedings was dismissed by the Limpopo High Court, allowing the conference to go ahead.
However, the mood inside the venue quickly deteriorated after opening remarks by ANC Limpopo deputy chairperson Florence Radzilani.
Chaos erupted as some delegates protested the alleged presence of “bogus” members and complained about disorganisation, including a lack of seating.
Police were eventually called in to restore order after chairs and tablecloths were reportedly thrown during physical altercations on the conference floor.
Despite the unrest, the conference proceeded, with the slate aligned to Polokwane Mayor John Mpe elected unopposed.
Mpe retained his position as regional chairperson for a third term, joined by Edward Paya as deputy chairperson, Lesiba Matsemela as secretary, Kholofelo Lehong as deputy secretary, and Merriam Molala as treasurer general.
The uncontested outcome followed the withdrawal and walkout of delegates aligned with rival faction leader Mamedupi Teffo, the ANC Women’s League provincial chairperson and Capricorn District Mayor.
Teffo raised concerns over disqualified branches and the manipulation of delegate lists, stating discrepancies in the number of audited branches presented to delegates.
Her faction has signalled its intention to escalate the matter to the party’s provincial and national structures.
One of the dissenting delegates, Thabo Mabotja, said they believed the elections to be irregular and premature and confirmed that a formal complaint will be submitted.
“The conference did not meet the necessary quorum, and the manipulation of processes has undermined internal democracy,” Mabotja claimed.
Nevertheless, ANC regional spokesperson Adolph Rapetsoa rejected these accusations, affirming that proper procedures were followed.
“We hope that the ANC will emerge united following this conference. We condemn the attempts to disrupt the conference and appreciate the discipline shown by the majority of delegates despite the challenges,” Rapetsoa said.
In its official statement released on Friday, the regional leadership acknowledged the disruptive incidents but reiterated that the conference was convened with the endorsement of all relevant party structures and attended by PEC deployees, alliance partners, and accredited branch delegates.
The leadership also criticised the manner in which certain disputes were handled by both the Provincial and National Dispute Resolution Committees, suggesting political interference in the appeals process.
Despite the factionalism and ongoing disputes, the newly elected leadership has vowed to focus on organisational renewal, improved governance, and the implementation of the ANC’s 55th National Conference resolutions.
“We emerge from this 10th Regional Conference with renewed vigour to unite and stabilise the Peter Mokaba region to serve our communities,” said Matsemela, the newly elected regional secretary.
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