Political analyst says conference is vital for the ANC and key figures, such as its secretary-general.
The Eastern Cape High Court in East London has halted the ANC’s provincial elective conference set for this weekend.
This comes after a group of disgruntled party members, including the provincial secretary, Lulama Ngcukayitobi, raised concerns about alleged membership rigging and irregular processes leading up to the conference.
They argued that the ANC would violate its own constitution if the conference proceeded with the alleged irregularities.
The judge postponed the hotly-contested conference and ordered that a new date be arranged.
“This honourable court issues an order directing the respondents to comply with the ANC’s government instruments, including, but not limited to, the conference guidelines and its constitution.
“Interdicting and restraining the respondents from holding the provincially elective conference of the Eastern Cape Province of the ANC scheduled to be held from 26 to 29 March 2026,” the court ruled.
The ANC was ordered to pay the costs of the application.
The Citizen reached out to the ANC for comment on the court’s decision. Their response will be included once it is received.
The party in the province, however, said that it would appeal the judgment.
“We cannot just take it like that, inasmuch as we respect the rule of law. We are continuing within those legal perimeters to make sure we exhaust that particular process,” said current ANC chairperson in the province, Oscar Mabuyane.
He said when the ruling was made, “almost more than 60% of delegates for the conference were registered”, and it was “in motion”. Despite the judgment, he said leaders in the province would “continue preparing for the conference”.
Mbalula’s interests in the conference
Political analyst Andre Duvenhage told The Citizen that this conference is important for the ANC because the Eastern Cape is one of its strongholds.
He said the outcomes are especially vital for figures such as ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who are reportedly interested in becoming ANC president after Cyril Ramaphosa vacates his party office in 2027.
“We know that Fikile Mbalula has certain personal political aspirations. He is also competing for a more senior position, so he has a vested interest in a certain group being elected,” he said.
Duvenhage said allegations of irregularities surrounding the conference reflect poorly on Mbalula’s leadership.
“The fact of the matter is that irregularities have become a common factor in conferences of the ANC, not only in the Eastern Cape but in the majority of provinces in South Africa,” he said,
Duvenhage said ANC conferences are so heavily contested because the party is in its dying stage, and many leaders are tussling for power and the benefits that come with it.
“It is a matter of survival for the organisation. Some indications suggest they are losing a lot of support. It is likely that they will go below 40% nationally, so there is a lot at stake for the ANC, and people are competing for positions,” he said.
A hat-trick for Mbalula’s ally?
The Citizen understands that Mabuyane is seeking a third term as the party’s leader in this province. He is believed to be a close ally of Mbalula.
Mabuyane was expected to go head-to-head with Ngcukayitobi for the chairperson position.
Mabuyane has publicly stated that there is nothing wrong with the processes that led up to the conference. He said the province is ready.
The conference was supposed to begin on Thursday, with registration and officials’ proceedings meant to commence on Friday. The party indicated that 1 300 delegates were also expected to attend.
Mbalula has been criticised by those who have taken the matter to court for failing to take note of the provincial secretary’s concerns about the conference moving ahead with irregularities.
Professor Theo Neethling of the University of the Free State said that Mabuyane’s ambitions for a third time may bring serious challenges down the line.
“Section 130(2) of the constitution stipulates that no person may hold office as Premier for more than two terms, with a term defined as the period from election by the provincial legislature until the next election of a Premier following a provincial election.
“Although Mabuyane’s current ambitions relate to a third term as party chair rather than Premier, the debate inevitably raises questions about leadership renewal, succession planning, and the concentration of political power.”
He noted Ngcukayitobi had previously highlighted alleged irregularities and escalated concerns to the national executive committee.
“This dynamic reinforces perceptions of factional contestation within provincial structures. The Provincial Executive Committee’s reminder that internal avenues exist for resolving disputes also signals underlying tensions and organisational strain.
“These internal battles risk undermining organisational cohesion and could threaten the ANC’s ability to maintain its traditional stronghold in the Eastern Cape ahead of the 2026 local government elections.”
Leaders at war
Earlier this week, Mbalula was in the Eastern Cape to resolve disputes among the provincial leaders of the party concerning the elective conference.
He said he supports the Provincial Executive Committee’s decision for the conference to be held, despite concerns from their own provincial secretary Ngcukayitobi.
“We are ready to prove our case. We believe that everything else that has been presented to us is not factual, but we will prove that in court…we have confidence in the processes of the ANC that we have followed, these processes have been tried and tested,” he said.
Mbalula said the ANC has several structures in which members can settle disputes related to conferences and other matters. He said the ANC is fully capable of handling its own internal issues.
“The ANC does not convene conferences for the sake of it. It is a political consolidation and policy advancement, and the upcoming Eastern Cape provincial conference will play a pivotal role in strengthening the movement.
“We believe the ANC in the Eastern Cape has come a long way. The ANC at all times has received overwhelming support from the masses of our people in this province, and that must be respected,” he said.
Mbalula had described those who have taken the party to court as ill-disciplined.
“They are sporadic, just a few people, but we want to salute the majority of ANC members and structures who have shown discipline. We have held conferences in this province, and they were all peaceful. There is no conference in the Eastern Cape that degenerated,” he said.
NOW READ: UPDATE: Court may rule today on whether Eastern Cape ANC conference will go ahead
Itumeleng Mafisa
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