ANC's Eastern Cape Conference Postponed Amidst Internal Strife

ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson Oscar Mabuyane.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

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The African National Congress (ANC) is facing another crisis, this time in the Eastern Cape, as its provincial conference has been postponed indefinitely due to internal disputes and court battles.

The East London High Court ruled that the conference, initially scheduled for March 26-29, 2026, be halted until disputes are resolved. This is not an isolated incident, as the ANC has been plagued by internal conflicts and court interventions in recent years, including a similar situation in Limpopo.

The Eastern Cape conference was expected to be a crucial moment for the party, with key figures such as Oscar Mabuyane and Lulama Ngcukayitobi vying for top positions.

However, the court ruled that the conference would violate the ANC's constitution and guidelines, citing membership rigging, procedural irregularities, and factional manipulation.

The applicants, including Lwazi Rotya, Sinethemba Mpande, and Nompumelelo Mzothwa, argued that the verification report was flawed and that the conference would exclude qualifying members.

The ANC has announced plans to appeal the ruling, with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stating that the decision is "irrational". The party's national executive committee (NEC) convenor, Mmamoloko Kubayi, emphasized that the conference would only proceed once internal disputes are resolved.

This is not the first time the ANC has faced internal conflicts and court interventions. In Limpopo, the party's provincial conference was also marred by disputes, highlighting the need for the ANC to address its internal issues. The repeated court interventions raise concerns about the party's ability to maintain its stronghold in key provinces ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

The ANC's internal divisions are a recipe for disaster, allowing opposition parties to capitalize on the party's self-destruction. The public is watching, and the ANC's fate hangs in the balance.

As the party navigates this crisis, it's clear that the ANC must put its house in order and prioritize the needs of the people over personal interests.