Branch disputes threaten ANC Peter Mokaba conference amid tensions
The ANC Limpopo's Peter Mokaba conference faces uncertainty as 31 branches face disputes and a leadership rift deepens between top contenders.
POLOKWANE – The political landscape within the ANC’s Peter Mokaba Region remains tense, as the party’s elective conference, now twice postponed, is rescheduled once more for this coming weekend. The latest delay stemmed from unresolved branch disputes, notably over discrepancies between the elected conference delegates and the official conference register.
The National Dispute Resolution Committee (NDRC) is under pressure to finalise the escalated disputes in time for the conference.
Read more: Delays hit ANC Peter Mokaba conference
The Provincial Dispute Resolutions Committee (PDRC) chaired by the Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba as party member, reportedly gave the green light to 31 contested branches to participate in the conference. Dissatisfied branches, however, have since lodged an appeal with the NDRC.
Regional spokesperson Adolph Rapetswa expressed confidence that the latest date would hold, citing that a request had been made to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula for the NDRC to wrap up its work by at least today. This would allow sufficient time for the registration of delegates before the conference begins.
Initially, the region could not meet the required 70% branch representation threshold, leading to the postponement. The unresolved disputes meant the conference could not lawfully proceed.
According to independent political analyst Zackaria Moabelo, the ongoing drama may put significant pressure on the Regional Task Team (RTT), which is not only overseeing the process but also contesting the leadership positions.
The RTT was appointed in December after the regional executive was dissolved, with six months to administer the process. Its convener, John Mpe, is pursuing a third term as regional chairperson.
Read more: Branch disputes cast doubt on ANC Peter Mokaba conference
Moabelo explained that if the RTT fails to deliver the conference within its time frame, the provincial leadership – which appears to favour Mamedupi Teffo as a first-time chairperson – may appoint an interim coordinating team to steer the region to conference, potentially shifting the balance of power.
He added that recent factional realignments within the province, such as strong members like Ernest Rachoene and Jimmy Machaka shifting allegiance to Teffo, reflect a common political strategy driven by future ambitions, possibly towards the provincial conference or local government elections.
While provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe is widely perceived to be aligned with Mpe and touted by Mpe’s supporters for another term in office, political observers say this could reinforce perceptions that he backs the current regional convener, who is also the Polokwane Mayor.
During a media briefing last Friday, Mpe voiced frustration over the PDRC which, he said ignored three written requests from regional convener Masilo Paya seeking updates on the status of disputes – a silence that Mpe reportedly sees as hostile and unsupportive.
Sources close to the party who Polokwane Observer spoke to, claim that a rift has developed between Mpe and Ramathuba, both rumoured to harbour ambitions to succeed Stanley Mathabatha as provincial chairperson when his term ends.
Ramathuba, who rose to the premiership and holds sway within the PEC, is seen by some as favouring a centralised leadership model, historically preferred by the ANC for such high-ranking positions.
Moabelo summarised the unfolding political contest with a pointed observation: “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
