ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun
Image: supplied
The ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Conference in Limpopo may face a rerun after supporters of Mamedupi Teffo, the ANC Women's League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn District Mayor, launched a complaint against the chaotic conference.
The conference, which was held at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, saw Polokwane Mayor John Mpe reelected as chairperson unopposed, despite allegations of irregularities and internal disputes.
Teffo was to challenge Mpe, but did not in protest against the alleged irregularities.
According to documents shared on social media, 31 branches were allegedly disqualified in a final dispute report, leaving only 74 qualifying branches - below the required 70% threshold of 79 branches.
Delegates who raised these issues argued that the conference should not have proceeded without addressing outstanding disputes.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Some delegates accused the Regional Task Team (RTT) of allowing "bogus" delegates into the venue, leading to verbal disputes that escalated into physical confrontations.
Former ANC Youth League official in the province Thabo Mabotja, who supports Teffo, is leading the charge insisting that the elections were not legitimate.
He and other officials have contacted ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, filing a complaint against the alleged regularities.
The group has called for a conference rerun to be held within 30 days. Mbalula has not yet responded to the complaints.
Mabotja claimed that the conference did not meet the necessary quorum to continue with elections and announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the ANC's provincial and national structures.
"We believe these elections were irregular and premature. We will be engaging the provincial and national leadership on this matter," Mabotja said.
Other ANC members in Mabotja's camp vowed to take the matter further, saying they are considering legal action with some claiming that ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe was biased because he was aligned to Mpe.
ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that the party in the province was awaiting communication from Mbalula as to what decision he had taken.
"We are awaiting the decision of the ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, regarding the outcomes of the conference or the submitted disputes," said Machaka.
However, Madadzhe has since legitimised the conference, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities.
"We stand by that decision that the conference is not bogus, and is a legitimate conference of the ANC. You will never have a bogus conference of the ANC with four PEC officials attending the conference," Madadzhe said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Political analyst warns of severe repercussions for South Africa amid DA-ANC tensions
Political analyst had warned President Cyril Ramaphosa that removing the DA from the GNU would have consequences of economic crisis. Image: Jairus Mmutle/ GCIS If President Cyril Ramaphosa were to dare to fire the Democratic Alliance (DA) from the Government of National Unity (GNU), the Western powers might jump into action to punish South Africa severely, warns political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu. Ndlovu, who is from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, commented on the worsening standoff between the ANC and DA since the inception of the GNU. The DA had begun implementing its threat to frustrate Ramaphosa by rejecting the budget vote for two ANC-led departments, whose ministers it accused of corruption and incompetence. Among those ministers whom the DA wanted to be fired were Human Settlements' Thembi Simelane and Higher Education's Nobuhle Nkabane. The party also wanted Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo out of the position. The DA's demands were sparked by Ramaphosa firing its MP, Andrew Whitfield, as the Trade, Industry and Competition deputy minister, last week. When Ramaphosa refused to succumb to the pressure, DA leader John Steenhuisen announced a boycott of some of the ANC departments' budget votes and that the party was pulling out of the National Dialogue. The DA said the National Dialogue was pro-ANC as Ramaphosa decided without consultation which eminent persons would participate. Steenhuisen threatened a vote of no confidence against the head of state, who has constitutional powers to appoint and remove members of his Cabinet. Said Ndlovu: 'Ramaphosa won't dare to use his power to fire DA ministers or force the DA to exit the GNU. The DA knows that investors and Western governments are on its side to severely punish the ANC and South Africans.' Ndlovu called on Ramaphosa to respect the GNU parties because the ANC did not receive the voters' mandate to govern alone. Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said: 'As far as we understand, there's no standoff in the GNU. Parties joined the GNU voluntarily, equally, they'll leave the GNU if they so choose out of their own accord.' Ndlovu said Ramaphosa's hands were tied as kicking the DA out would have consequences. 'The economy would be sabotaged, and that would mean higher unemployment, more poverty, and South Africa doesn't want to become another Zimbabwe,' said Ndlovu. He said the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, the National Health Insurance Act, and the Land Expropriation Act were a result of bullying 'as if it (ANC) was still in control of the executive'. 'The ANC no longer has an outright majority and, therefore, needs to compromise to reach consensus with its coalition partners, particularly the DA (because) clearly, the gloves are off now. 'By pulling out of the National Dialogue, the DA hopes to frustrate and punish the ANC for acting as if it still has an outright majority,' said Ndlovu. Ndlovu said that although the DA felt like an abused partner in a marriage, it does not want the marriage to end because it has more to lose than to gain in a divorce. 'There is no hope to iron out the differences, but to hang in there until the end of the term of office. 'The only way to manage the differences is to keep reminding each other that they need each other. Already, these differences are disrupting the work of the GNU and making it ineffective,' said Ndlovu. During a media briefing in Cape Town on Saturday, Steenhuisen challenged the ANC when he said: 'If the ANC wants to kick the DA out for fighting against corruption, well, so be it.' Soon after Minister Simelane tabled her R33 billion budget vote in Parliament on Thursday, the DA rejected it. 'We cannot support allocating R33 billion to a department led by a minister implicated in serious corruption. Since President Ramaphosa refuses to act, the DA will take every possible step to prevent further misuse of public funds,' read its statement. The DA was joined by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in rejecting Nkabane's budget. DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said his party was not opposed to the budget, but to ministers who are handling it 'as part of the fight against corruption'. He said the ANC was not listening to the DA's input in the GNU. 'The ANC had become used to over 30 years of being in power alone, and it will take time for it to come to terms with the fact that they don't govern alone anymore. 'President Ramaphosa must have a Cabinet with people fit for the purpose and who are worthy of being members of the Cabinet,' said Aucamp. He said the parties should stick to the Statement of Intent, which the parties signed before the formation of the GNU, which says that there should be sufficient consensus in the government's decision. The ANC questioned the DA's commitment to the GNU, stating that its vote against the departments' budget was 'not only disruptive but also undermined the very spirit and functioning of the GNU, to which the DA has committed itself'. 'South Africans deserve clarity and leadership guided by national interest, not short-term political expediency,' said ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri. Another political analyst, Sakhile Hadebe, said the DA was trying too hard to prove its existence and visibility in the GNU. He did not see the ANC voting against the budget of DA-led departments because, as the biggest party in the GNU, the ANC 'must lead by example and properly'. [email protected]
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Public Protector clears Bheki Cele of SAPS helicopter misuse allegations
Former police minister Bheki Cele has been cleared by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka of allegations of using a police helicopter to attend the ANC's 2024 election manifesto launch in Durban. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared former police minister Bheki Cele of accusations of chartering an SA Police Service (SAPS) helicopter to attend the ANC's 2024 election manifesto launch in February last year. The DA complained to Gcaleka after Cele was seen arriving at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium in an SAPS helicopter. Andrew Whitfield, the DA's then shadow police minister, accused Cele of making use of the official aircraft as his taxi or e-hailing service to and from a political party event. Whitfield also rejected Cele and the SAPS's averment that the former minister's use of the helicopter was in line with his 'constitutional responsibility as a Minister of Police'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In addition, Whitfield said should it be found that the SAPS helicopter collected Cele from any location other than its assigned base (and particularly if he was collected from King Shaka International Airport) and/or that its flight plan included no other activity but to transport him to and from the manifesto launch event, it would no doubt support the submissions that the former minister's use of the helicopter was solely personal. He further stated that it was wholly unrelated to any oversight or operational duties (which the former minister is in any event not entitled to undertake), and certainly not in line with his constitutional responsibility as the police minister. Whitfield alleged that Cele used his position in the national executive to improperly benefit himself by making use of an SAPS helicopter for private and party-political travel. However, Gcaleka found evidence indicating that the operational planning relating to policing for the launch of the ANC manifesto event was arranged by members of the SAPS led by one of its senior generals. 'The evidence at the Public Protector's disposal indicates that as part of safety and security planning for the event, approval for utilisation of an SAPS helicopter was granted by the Air Wing Support Unit Commander for the purpose of aerial surveillance and law enforcement during ANC manifesto launch,' reads Gcaleka's report. The only passengers were Cele and the top general in the SAPS helicopter used for aerial surveillance covering areas around Moses Mabhida Stadium during the ANC manifesto launch. Cele also used a commercial airline to travel from Cape Town to Durban and back. Gcaleka could not find any evidence to indicate that the SAPS helicopter was used to transport Cele beyond the various operational points at Moses Mabhida Stadium and surrounding areas.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Margaret Arnolds re-elected as Joburg speaker, defeats DA's Alex Christians
African Independent Congress, Margaret Arnolds, elected new Speaker of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) council. Image: X The outspoken, African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor, Margaret Arnolds, has been elected as Joburg Speaker again. In a surprising turn of events, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has put forward Alex Christians as its candidate for the Speaker position, marking a notable shift in the party's political strategy. DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, confirmed that this was a call from the party's top brass, Federal Executive (FedEx). However, Christians could not match Arnolds. Three parties, the ATM, Al-Jamah and UDM were unhappy with the ANC again fielding Arnolds. Al-Jamah has three seats, and the other two have two seats each. All these parties have five seats in total, meaning they will have an impact on Arnolds election. All the parties in the Government of Local Unity (GLU) are supporting the ANC's pick. Arnolds got 137 votes beating Christians who got 68 votes. Yongama Zigebe from UDM received 5 votes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The election was run by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Arnolds was elected to be a speaker in the city council chamber in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Thursday. Meanwhile, ANC regional secretary, Sasabona Manganye, expressed confidence before the voting process that Arnolds would become the speaker. Last week, City Mayor Dada Morero survived a motion of no confidence while the former speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu was removed from the position. Morero is on an international working trip and could not attend the sitting. He is the ninth mayor to be elected in the city since 2016. IOL Politics
