Latest news with #PeterMokaba
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
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Will new ANC faction take over in Limpopo?
Factions aligned to Maropene Ramokgopa and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni are vying for power in Limpopo. A powerful political clique aligned to the ANC's second deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa is instilling fear among senior ANC politicians in Limpopo ahead of the party's provincial elective conference in 2026. The new faction has been dubbed 'The Third Term'. It consists of Polokwane mayor Makoro John Mpe and Mopani district municipality mayor Pule Shayi. Both Mpe and Shayi, who are allies of Ramokgopa, won the Peter Mokaba and Norman Mashabane regional elective conferences respectively in the past few days. Norman Mashabane is the biggest region with 129 ANC branches, followed by Vhembe with 127, Sekhukhune 118 and 113 for Peter Mokaba. Peter Mokaba is the economic hub of the province and the seat of the province's capital, Polokwane. Another faction, The Straight Line, led by Capricorn district municipality mayor Mamedupi Teffo, lost the Peter Mokaba conference on Thursday to Mpe's 'Third Term' slate. It is aligned to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who is also a member of the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) and national working committee (NWC). Both Ramokgopa and Ntshavheni are allegedly working around the clock to garner support in Limpopo for their election in the upcoming ANC national elective conference in 2027. ALSO READ: Limpopo ANC conference rocked by membership manipulation claims A senior politician in the Norman Mashabane region said the plan for 'The Third Term' faction is for Mpe to replace Stan Mathabatha as Limpopo ANC chairperson and Shayi to replace MEC for social development Florence Radzilani as the deputy chair at the upcoming provincial elective conference. Political analyst Enoch Maponya said ANC regional contests are build-up events for both the provincial and national elective conferences. 'The outcome of these conferences often charts the way forward for the prospective leadership at the upper structure,' he said. Maponya said it is rumoured that Mpe's allies have begun to tout him for the plum job of ANC provincial chair. 'Most see him as the most powerful comrade to replace Mathabatha, while others support Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Ramathuba has been credited for pushing service delivery-related issues in the province,' he said. NOW READ: Tensions erupt in Limpopo ANC after vandalism of spokesperson's bakkie
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.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Branch disputes cast doubt on ANC Peter Mokaba conference
POLOKWANE – Tensions continue to mount ahead of the ANC's Peter Mokaba Region conference, with unresolved branch-level disputes casting doubt on whether the event will go ahead as planned this weekend. Despite protests by aggrieved members on Wednesday, Regional Task Team spokesperson Adolph Rapetswa insists the conference will proceed. He reaffirmed the team's position in a statement to Polokwane Observer on Thursday, saying the event is still scheduled as per the recently confirmed dates. On Wednesday, frustrated members from various regional branches demonstrated outside the ANC's Limpopo headquarters, Frans Mohlala House in Biccard Street eventually leading to the Polokwane Council Chambers. #Limpopo #Polokwane #FYP #ANC #PeterMokaba ♬ original sound – plkreview @polokwanereview Tensions continue to mount ahead of the ANC's Peter Mokaba Region conference, with unresolved branch-level disputes casting doubt on whether the event will go ahead as planned this weekend. Despite protests by aggrieved members on Wednesday, Regional Task Team spokesperson Adolph Rapetswa insists the conference will proceed. He reaffirmed the team's position in a statement to Polokwane Observer on Thursday, saying the event is still scheduled as per the recently confirmed dates. #ReviewOnline The protesters, who claim to be part of Mamedupi Teffo's slate, accused the Provincial Dispute Resolutions Committee (PDRC) of approving the conference date despite several disputes lodged regarding alleged undemocratic processes during recent branch general meetings. The group alleges that in certain branches, meetings were intentionally collapsed and branch executives were handpicked instead of being democratically elected—effectively allowing delegates aligned to John Mpe to dominate the upcoming conference vote. Mpe, the sitting convener and former chairperson, is seeking a third term and faces opposition from Teffo. Protesters claim 49 out of 103 branches have filed disputes, citing issues such as parallel meeting packages and scheduling irregularities. If these are not resolved, the region may not meet the required 70% threshold to hold the conference. Calls for the disbandment of the regional team and provincial intervention have intensified. ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that grievances have been received and are under review, however, he could not say whether the national and provincial dispute resolution committees would finalise their assessments in time. 'We remain hopeful that by the time the conference sits, all matters will be resolved,' Machaka said, adding that the process should not hinder the event if the disputes are addressed appropriately. Rapetswa said the team had received 39 formal disputes from the PDRC, five of which had been resolved by Tuesday. He suggested the protesters were acting outside internal party processes and called into question the legitimacy of their concerns. 'These are not genuine grievances. Some members appear to be rented and the coordinator of the protest remains unknown,' he said. 'We are working within a strict six-month mandate which began in December when the previous executive's term ended.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
