The Dark Underbelly of Power: Exposing the ANC's Waterberg Region Crisis

In the heart of South Africa's Limpopo province, a crisis is unfolding within the African National Congress (ANC). The Waterberg region, once a bastion of ANC strength, is now a hotbed of internal conflicts, power struggles, and desperation. The recent use of live ammunition during a Branch General Meeting in ward 11 Lephalale has exposed the deep-seated divisions and lawlessness that have taken hold of the party.

At the center of the storm is the ANC Waterberg Region's Regional Chairperson, Jack Maeko, and his faction's push for Thulane Taueatsoalae to become the Deputy Regional Chairperson. Meanwhile, Kgabo Mahoai's faction is pushing for Mahoai to become the ANC Waterberg Region Chairperson. The power struggle between the two factions has reached a boiling point, with each side accusing the other of corruption, nepotism, and undemocratic practices.

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has been entangled in this two-faction dispute, with some suspecting that she is supporting Maeko's faction. This has raised questions about her loyalty to Mahoai, whom she appointed as the MEC for Treasury in her Limpopo Cabinet. The alleged support for Maeko's faction could be a test of Ramathuba's influence within the party and her relationship with Mahoai.

The alleged support for Maeko's faction by Ramathuba could have significant implications for her leadership and influence within the party. Some argue that this will test her loyalty to Mahoai and her ability to manage internal conflicts within the party. Additionally, this could impact the political rivalries within the party, particularly between Ramathuba and ANC Deputy Provincial Chairperson Florence Radzilani, who is supported by some ANC members in the Waterberg Region.

The ANC's Provincial Secretary, Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe, has been accused of failing to provide effective leadership and address the internal conflicts and irregularities within the party. His office has been criticized for not taking decisive action to address the issues, leading to a breakdown in trust and stability within the party.

In response to the crisis, the ANC Waterberg region's members have issued a memorandum of demands to the ANC Limpopo office, highlighting several irregularities and grievances within the party's branches. The document calls for a new roadmap to be drafted and presented to the PEC for ratification before implementation, and for the office of the Provincial Secretary to ensure that all scanners appointed by branch executive committees remain unchanged.

A group of disgruntled ANC members from the Waterberg Region marched to the Frans Mohlala House, the ANC Provincial Office, to express their deep-seated discontent and frustration with the current state of affairs within the party. The members, who were vocal about the party's internal conflicts and irregularities, demanded decisive action from the party leadership to address their grievances and restore stability within the party. The march was a clear indication of the growing discontent within the party and the need for urgent action to address the concerns of its members.

If the party's leadership fails to take decisive action, the consequences will be severe. The ANC Waterberg region will continue to bleed, and the party's reputation will be further tarnished. The upcoming elections will be a litmus test for the party's ability to govern effectively, and if the internal conflicts and irregularities continue, it will be difficult for the party to win the trust of the voters.

The ANC Waterberg region's future hangs in the balance, and it is up to the party's leadership to take decisive action to address the internal conflicts and restore stability. The use of live ammunition is a wake-up call, a reminder that the party's problems cannot be ignored or swept under the rug. The ANC Waterberg region needs a new path forward, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The crisis in the Waterberg region could also have implications for the succession battle within the ANC in Limpopo. With Stan Mathabatha now serving as Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, the question of who will succeed him as ANC Provincial Chairperson and former Limpopo Premier is becoming increasingly important. The outcome of this crisis will determine the future of the ANC in the Waterberg region and potentially impact the party's chances in the upcoming elections.

A group of disgruntled ANC members from the Waterberg Region marched to the Frans Mohlala House, the ANC Provincial Office, to express their deep-seated discontent and frustration with the current state of affairs within the party.