ANC U-turns on decision to go ahead with Eastern Cape conference despite court order

The ANC has decided to walk back from its declaration that a provincial conference would go ahead.

The Eastern Cape High Court on Thursday halted the conference, urging the party to address several issues and complaints.

The party’s provincial Executive Committee was bullish in the aftermath, saying the conference was “in motion” and preparations would go ahead, despite the ruling.

“We cannot just take it like that, inasmuch as we respect the rule of law. We are continuing within those legal perimeters to make sure we exhaust that particular process,” said current ANC chairperson in the province, Oscar Mabuyane.

He said when the ruling was made, “almost more than 60% of delegates for the conference were registered”

The ANC said their appeal will be heard on Friday afternoon.

A contempt of court matter was filed on Friday morning in response to the ANC’s insistence that the conference go ahead, and is understood to be heard on Saturday.

Amid the court drama, Convener of the National Executive Committee deployee to the Eastern Cape, Mmamoloko Kubayi, confirmed that the conference was now on ice again.

“You can’t have a conception that the ANC doesn’t listen to the courts,” she told broadcaster eNCA.
The party’s national structure also instructed its Eastern Cape leadership to halt the conference until further notice.

“Following the order issued by the Eastern Cape High Court on 26 March 2026, and after due consideration, consultation, and review of the prevailing legal and organisational circumstances, the Office of the Secretary General has resolved to direct that the Eastern Cape Provincial Conference, which was scheduled to be officially opened on 27 March 2026, shall not convene at this time.

“This decision is taken in order to ensure full organisational discipline, legal prudence, and fidelity to the constitutional and governance obligations of the ANC, while safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and sustainability of the Provincial Conference process.

“Accordingly, the conference is hereby directed to be held in abeyance until further notice.”

This is a developing story