POLOKWANE – ANC Limpopo provincial chairperson, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, has stepped down from his position in the party, citing ‘misconduct and a lack of ANC values’ within the provincial party.

The decision, effective Monday, comes shortly after former ANC MP Boy Mamabolo announced he was terminating his membership.

Read more: ‘I want OUT’ – Boy Mamabolo resigns from ANC after 29 years

In a letter sent to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on Monday, Mathabatha explained that he could no longer “stand aloof to such unethical and un-ANC tendencies” observed in the organisation, according to the letter.

He pointed specifically to irregularities and questionable conduct during conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions.

A veteran of the party, Mathabatha said his decision to step aside was made to uphold his personal reputation and integrity. In the letter, he also stated that he would make himself available to the national office bearers for any interviews and hoped his departure would allow the provincial organisation to “function without my involvement”.

Political parties respond:

The announcement drew immediate criticism from opposition parties.

Cope Limpopo dismissed Mathabatha’s resignation as a “calculated PR stunt,” describing it as “a performance to cover up a long history of corruption and moral bankruptcy.”

The party said Mathabatha had no right to lecture on values as he was “part of a corrupt system that hurt the people of Limpopo”.

“If he truly regrets anything, he must come clean and explain which unethical acts he is referring to. The public deserves transparency and honesty, not crocodile tears from someone who benefitted while others suffered. His hands are stained with the blood of a compromised justice system,” Cope’s statement reads.

The party further called Mathabatha’s sudden moral awakening “an insult to those who bore the brunt of his unethical deeds,” adding: “We will not allow him to deceive the suffering masses with this belated act of contrition. The time for full disclosure is now, or history will judge him as the architect of Limpopo’s downfall.”

Meanwhile, EFF Limpopo chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo told Polokwane Observer that, while his party did not want to interfere in ANC politics, Mathabatha’s move reflected a lack of accountability and decisiveness.

“The rot within the ANC is clearly difficult to deal with, even on the surface level,” Mapoulo said.

Drawing on his experience as a former ANC leader, he suggested that Mathabatha’s decision could be a political strategy ahead of a possible third term.

“Like we have seen in other provinces, he may be trying to position himself so that the party’s office bearers call on him to rescue the organisation, even though his past terms already cast doubt on his capacity to do so,” Mapoulo added.

He argued that if Mathabatha were serious about leaving, he would have resigned outright.

“Stepping aside and resigning are not the same thing.”

A response for comment is being awaited from the ANC’s official structures.

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