Although Luthuli House has put a gag on the ANC’s 2027 leadership succession race, behind the scenes, the horse trading is in full swing.
This became apparent this week when the national office unprecedentedly took control of the regional elective conference in Vhembe, Limpopo.
The resolution is contained in a directive that Fikile Mbalula, the head of Luthuli House, sent to Limpopo on Thursday, in which the ANC secretary-general is unequivocal that the office of his ally, national organiser Mdu Manana, assisted by Limpopo provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe’s office, will take full control of the registration in the Vhembe regional conference this weekend.
In the same letter, Mbalula enumerates a group of national executive committee (NEC) members who have been deployed to regional conferences in the province, an area where the ANC holds the highest level of electoral support.
Manana’s office, which will now be running registration processes as instructed by
Mbalula, has also overseen the new ANC membership system.
Another regional conference had also been scheduled for this weekend in Mopani, but Sunday World understands that it was postponed after 19 branches complained about “bogus delegates” taking part in the proceedings, including names of members who had long died.
Regional coordinator Goodman Mitileni said in a statement the national dispute resolutions committee will conclude work on the remaining disputes, after which the conference will be reconvened this coming weekend.
In Vhembe, according to aggrieved party members, Mbalula’s directive also runs contrary to the ANC constitution, which provides that regional conferences are organised by regional structures with provincial oversight when capacity is lacking.
The regional conference elects the regional executive committee, which is responsible for carrying out the decisions and instructions of the NEC, the provincial executive committee, and the regional conference.
Mbalula’s directive effectively stripped Vhembe regional coordinator Rudzani Ludere of his powers to manage conference registrations.
Ludere is expected to contest for re-election against Matodzi Ralushai, a known ally of Madadzhe – whom Mbalula has effectively granted Ludere’s powers along with Manana’s team.
It is believed that behind the scenes, the battle is between Madadzhe and former ANC Limpopo provincial treasurer Danny Msiza, who is the hidden hand behind Ludere.
The two fell out after Msiza assisted Madadzhe to get elected to the position he holds, and then turned against him.
Msiza is said to be determined to also relaunch himself back into the power players of the
province, but also to teach Madadzhe a lesson.
This while Mbalula is believed to be exploiting the opportunity by backing Madadzhe, who will in turn back him come the national conference in 2027.
For the position of regional chairperson, Madadzhe is backing Tshitereke Matibe, while Msiza is fully behind Simon Mavikane.
ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka dismissed claims of procedural irregularities in the party’s Vhembe region, insisting that national intervention was necessary to ensure a “credible conference” amid allegations of branch nomination tampering.
Machaka clarified the role of Ludere, stating, “It is not correct that Ludere is the regional secretary; he is the regional coordinator. Vhembe is not an REC (regional executive committee) but a task team structure.
“There was no bypassing. Although registration is done with the provincial and national organiser, it is done together with the RTT (regional task team).”
He defended the ANC’s national leadership involvement, citing concerns over manipulated nomination processes.
“What warranted national intervention were issues that there was tampering from branch packages.
“The RTTs are divided, and most of them are candidates contesting leadership. Ourselves as a province, we fully welcome the intervention to ensure we deliver a credible conference.”
Machaka also rejected claims that Madadzhe favoured factions. “There is nowhere that Madadhze declares his support for any candidate.”
Addressing tensions in Sekhukhune and Mopani, Machaka downplayed administrative conflicts. “In Sekhukhune, there were no issues. Mdu Manana was there doing administrative work. Comrade Sputla [Ramokgopa] and [Sindisiwe] Chikunga are in Mopani, that dispels this myth.”
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri and Ludere did not respond to questions.
