ANC Tshwane Elective Conference Kicks Off Amid Factional Battles and Leadership Contests

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

The African National Congress (ANC) Greater Tshwane Region is holding its crucial three-day elective conference starting Saturday, where it will choose a new leadership to steer the party in the capital city.

The 12th regional conference is taking place under the theme: “Renew, Rebuild and Unite for the Consolidation of People’s Power.”

The conference is proceeding despite attempts to interdict it, which were unsuccessful. This has added to the tension and controversy surrounding the event, with deep-seated factional battles spilling over into the political arena.

One of the positions set to be highly contested is that of regional secretary. Outgoing secretary, George Matjila, is currently under police investigation for allegedly slapping an ANC comrade. Matjila denies the assault charge, claiming it was orchestrated to sabotage his re-election campaign.

The outgoing regional chairperson, Eugene Modise, will also be hoping to retain his seat with the ultimate goal of becoming the party's mayoral candidate for Tshwane in the upcoming local government elections. Modise, who is currently the Tshwane deputy mayor, comes into the conference following a damning report exposing alleged unethical behaviour between him and one of the city’s service providers.

The conference will also deliberate on the ANC’s multiparty coalition in Tshwane. There are rumours that some members are unhappy that the mayoral position is currently occupied by an ActionSA councillor, despite the ANC being the bigger party in the coalition.

This conference is seen as a test of strength between ANC Gauteng Provincial Coordinator Panyaza Lesufi and his rival ANC Fikile Mbalula, who has an ambition of becoming President Cyril Ramaphosa's successor.

The two factions are vying for control of the party, with Lesufi's camp, known as BOPHA, including Frans Boshielo and Ratshilumela Walter Mashamba, and Johannesburg regional chairperson Loyiso Masuku, who recently defeated Dada Morero, a Mbalula ally, in the Joburg regional conference.

Mbalula's camp includes Eugene Modise and George Matjila. The defeat of Morero, a Mbalula ally, has been seen as a setback for Mbalula's faction, and the outcome of the Tshwane conference is expected to further test the strength of the two factions.

The outcome of the conference is expected to have significant implications for the ANC's future in Tshwane and beyond, and could provide insight into which faction is likely to succeed President Ramaphosa.