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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun
The executive mayor of Polokwane and newly elected ANC Peter Mokaba Region chairperson John Mpe may have to challenge for his position during a possible rerun of a recent conference. 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.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Chairs thrown at chaotic ANC Limpopo regional conference
ANC Limpopo provincial secretary, Reuben Madadzhe. Image: X The ANC provincial secretary, Reuben Madadzhe, has legitimised the Peter Mokaba Regional Elective Conference in Limpopo, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities. The conference, held in Polokwane recently, saw Polokwane mayor, John Mpe reelected unopposed as chairperson for a third term, amidst violent clashes and police intervention. The conference descended into chaos on its first day, with delegates clashing and hurling chairs and tablecloths at one another in protest. Some delegates accused the Regional Task Team (RTT) of allowing "bogus" delegates into the venue, leading to verbal disputes that escalated into physical confrontations. Police intervened to restore order, and the conference continued with the election of Mpe and his slate uncontested. Madadzhe dismissed allegations of irregularities, stating that the party's regional structures followed all protocols. 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 ✕ "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. He congratulated the newly elected leadership, adding that the conference met the party's guidelines. However, a dissident group of delegates, led by former ANC Youth League official, Thabo Mabotja, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the proceedings. 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 Madadzhe was biased because he was aligned to Mpe. It is not yet clear whether the new structure will take office as no official of the National Executive Committee attended the conference. ANC general secretary Fikile Mbalula did not respond to questions. The newly elected top five officials of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) are: - Chairperson: John Mpe - Deputy Chairperson: Edward Paya - Secretary: Lesiba Matsemela - Deputy Secretary: Kholofelo Lehong - Treasurer: Merriam Molala The elected members come from a slate widely seen as aligned to Mpe, with no competing candidates from the opposing faction standing for nomination. Despite Madadzhe's defense of the conference's legitimacy, tensions remain high within the region.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
ANC Limpopo regional elective conference records largest spending since 1994
The cost is the largest spending for a regional conference in the province since democracy in 1994. The 10th ANC Peter Mokaba regional elective conference in Limpopo has cost the region more than R8 million, sources say The cost is the largest spending for a regional conference in the province since democracy in 1994. How ANC spent the money A source within the regional executive committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the money was spent on food and beverages for friends of the ANC from both the province and national leadership, sound systems, venues, transport, media, accommodation, decoration and banners, among many other items. 'We had to book two venues for accommodation. We booked The Ranch and Park Inn hotels to accommodate delegates and friends of the ANC, including journalists,' said the source. Another source told The Citizen the region spent more than R2 million only on accommodation at the Ranch and Park In Hotels. 'Remember, the conference was scheduled to sit on the 15th and 16th, but it was postponed due to disputes. We had to extend the booking for five more days while waiting for the national dispute resolution committee to finalise the clearance of the disputes,' said the source. ALSO READ: ANC elective conference in Limpopo stalled by disputes Chicks, snacks, booze paid by ANC A delegate booked at Park Inn Hotel, who also asked for his name to be withheld, had only this to say: 'We had everything – free meals, nice accommodation, chicks, snacks and booze. All this was paid for by the ANC. 'Others alleged generous service providers from around the province and Gauteng offered to pay the bill. 'You know the ANC has no money. It depends on handouts from generous service providers. 'Those who are lucky got out of the conference with well-lined pockets after promises that they would vote correctly at the conference,' he said. ALSO READ: 'Third Term' slate shines at Limpopo ANC elective conference Ridiculous spending Some criticised the spending as exorbitant. 'We are lining the streets of Polokwane every morning looking for jobs. Others are sleeping in thatch and mud houses years after empty promises from government to build us RDP houses. 'Roads are riddled with potholes, water is scarce in villages and townships while litter fills our streets. 'This money could have been best used to change the lives of our people in communities,' said Christopher Matlou of the Blouberg subregion. The conference elected Polokwane mayor John Mpe as chair for the region for a third term, Masilo Edward Paya as deputy chair, Lesiba Matsemela as secretary, Kholofelo Lehong as deputy secretary and Merriam Molala as regional treasurer. ANC spokesperson for the region Adolph Rapetsoa would neither confirm, nor deny the cost of the conference. He said they were still working out how much was spent and how much was owed to service providers. NOW READ: Will new ANC faction take over in Limpopo?
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Limpopo ANC conference rocked by membership manipulation claims
Claims of manipulated membership packages and political patronage threaten to derail the ANC Limpopo elective conference this weekend. Trouble is brewing in Limpopo ahead of this weekend's crucial elective conference in the Peter Mokaba region of the ANC. This involves claims of political patronage, intolerance and attempts to manipulate the party's membership system. The conference begins today and runs until Sunday. Controversy clouds ANC Limpopo elective conference Delegates will elect top five officials and additional members to run the region for the next three years. The biggest contest will be between Polokwane municipality's mayor John Mpe and Capricorn district municipality mayor Mamedupi Teffo. Hundreds of people claiming to be ANC branch members marched to the party's offices at Frans Mohlala and Polokwane municipality council chamber to express their anger about the alleged bad conduct of some members during branch general meetings (BGMs). ALSO READ: Rigging claims stall ANC Youth League provincial elections Branch member Fistos Mothudi said the marchers came from all branches that had parallel BGMs and those who registered disputes with the Limpopo provincial dispute resolution committee and the national dispute resolution committee. 'We believe that our BGM packages were tampered with. This is so because we had our BGM on 1 April. We passed the audit and reached the 70% threshold,' he said. 'But when we went for preregistrstion this week, we found that our package had been tampered with and even the signature of the deployee on the package was forged.' 'Rented drunkards' Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, a senior politician at the Polokwane subregion alleged those who took part in the march were 'rented drunkards collected from shebeen and taxi ranks'. Spokesperson for the ANC regional task (RTT) team in the Peter Mokaba region, Adolf Rapetsoa, also slammed the marchers. 'The march to the ANC provincial office [Frans Mohlala House] and Polokwane council chamber was nothing but a cheap and desperate attempt to cause trouble for the region ahead of the elective conference,' said Rapetsoa. ALSO READ: Malema slams politicians exploiting 'blackness' to mask corruption and escape justice He said the mobilisation of non-ANC members for frivolous political aims was frowned upon by the RTT. 'The ANC will investigate this and those behind the march will face the full might of the organisation,' he said. Earlier this week, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula was accused of having a hidden hand in manipulating the party's membership system to cook the regional and provincial outcomes to favour him or his faction. Mbalula accused of manipulating party's membership system This is contained in an anonymous document circulating on social media and WhatsApp groups, apparently penned by a disgruntled ANC staff member. But party headquarters Luthuli House said it had no knowledge of the document and declined to respond to it. According to the anonymous document, Mbalula's office allegedly manipulated the membership portal system in provinces with political divisions. NOW READ: 'ANC conference whispers will be suppressed to the moon and back' – Mbalula [Video]
News24
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Irate mob chases ANC mayor away as tensions rise in Limpopo ahead of regional party conference
Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality ANC Mayor Meriam Molala was allegedly accosted by an angry mob of residents who ended up stoning her vehicle during a meeting. She has opened a criminal case. Elsewhere, her political ally, Polokwane ANC Mayor John Mpe, told residents they could either listen to him or leave an important Integrated Development Plan meeting. The two ambitious ANC leaders are political allies and have their eyes set on leading the ANC in Limpopo and the provincial government after next year's provincial elective conference. Angry Lebowakgomo residents chased away Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality ANC Mayor Meriam Molala and allegedly pelted her vehicle with stones on Wednesday. This was one of two dramatic meetings in Limpopo municipalities this week, which also saw a march to the ANC's provincial headquarters, as the ANC's Peter Mokaba region gears up for an elective conference on the weekend. In the other heated municipal meeting, Molala's ally, Polokwane Mayor John Mpe, faced a hostile crowd after he told residents they could leave an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting on Monday if they didn't want to listen to him. On Wednesday evening, videos of Molala's ordeal earlier in the day at the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre began doing the rounds. It shows her clutching her water bottle and anxiously trotting away from a crowd boiling with rage. A few men protected her before she got into a vehicle that sped away from the scene. An ANC source with intimate knowledge of the incident said: 'She left the meeting running today [Wednesday] after she was stoned by community members during Integrated Development Plan [meeting] at Lebowakgomo.' Her office told News24 she opened a criminal case against a group of men, some of whom she said aren't even from her community. Molala's spokesperson, Lazzy Ledwaba, told News24: 'Indeed, the mayor was whisked away during the attack, and fortunately she was not harmed in any way.' Ledwaba confirmed shots were fired at the crowd, but no injuries were reported. 'The situation was brought under control and we urge everyone who has complaints or wants to know more about the municipality's operations and services to use the proper channels,' Ledwaba said. Meanwhile, Mpe also had bad days at the office on Monday and Wednesday. He faced pressure on two fronts: an uproar over comments he made at the municipality's IDP meeting on Monday, and a mutiny within party ranks over the upcoming regional elective conference, where he is standing for a third term as chairperson of the ANC's Peter Mokaba region. In a video of Monday's Integrated Development Plan meeting with the Molepo, Chuene and Maja communities - his traditional support base - Mpe told residents there is no money to deliver roads across all rural areas. He said those who want to listen to him can stay, and those who don't, could leave. 'That statement was taken out of context. We are busy tarring quite a number of roads in that cluster. I'm from there. People came to disrupt and demand more roads. Some were not even sober,' Mpe told News24. 'They were organised by some politicians because of the [regional] conferences. 'When we were talking, those people were talking. We're doing what's called ward-based planning, meaning every ward must benefit [over time],' Mpe said. READ | He said it would've been irresponsible to commit to building other roads while they were still busy with planned roads. He said the total budget for roads at the municipality is R300m and that the municipality would not be able to tar every road in the same financial year. 'We need to tell our people the truth. But those people were aggressive.' The municipality issued a statement, saying he was taken out of context and that he was addressing a disruptive individual. 'Unfortunately, the clip deliberately omits the broader context of the discussion, which centred on the equitable allocation of municipal resources — particularly with regard to road infrastructure development across all wards,' Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala said. He said Mpe was explaining that 'due to budgetary constraints and the principles of fair service delivery, it is not feasible to tar all roads in a single area within one financial year'. However, an ANC Limpopo source said: 'He told residents the municipality can't afford to tar every road in the villages, but if the audience doesn't want to listen to what he is telling them, then they can leave that IDP meeting. He is finishing the movement.' Two days later, several branches of the ANC's rank and file marched to Frans Mohlala House, the ANC's provincial headquarters in Polokwane. They accused the Peter Mokaba regional task team of being behind several irregularities ahead of the regional conference at the weekend, including tempering with the nomination of delegates and branch packages. This prompted ANC Limpopo MPL Thabo Mabotja, of Polokwane, to post on Facebook: 'Stop tempering (sic) with packages please. Let's run a fair process, please stop abusing your office and privilege.' According to ANC sources, Mpe and Molala are allegedly a part of a regional bloc called the 'third termists' within the ANC - and it's believed their ultimate goal is to remove ANC leader Dr Poppy Ramathuba as the premier, with Mpe then taking over that role.
