ANC issues ultimatum to Stan Mathabatha after rejecting his resignation

The ANC has delivered a stern ultimatum to its Limpopo provincial chairperson, Stan Mathabatha, following the rejection of his letter to step aside from his party duties. 

The move comes as the ANC seeks to reinforce its principles of renewal, unity, and accountability, particularly in the face of internal dissent and concerns over party values.

Mathabatha, who also serves as the Deputy Minister for Land Reform and Rural Development, had voluntarily sought to step aside from his role as ANC Limpopo chairperson.

In a letter addressed to the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, he cited concerns over alleged misconduct within the party and the erosion of ANC values and processes, specifically referencing issues observed during regional conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions. 

He stated that his decision was made "in order to uphold my reputation and integrity".

However, his attempt to distance himself from these issues was rebuffed by the party’s leadership. 

Mbalula convened a meeting last week Thursday with Mathabatha and the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to discuss the contents of his letter.

This discussion preceded a broader gathering at Luthuli House involving NEC members deployed to Limpopo, where the matter was thoroughly deliberated.

In a statement released on Friday, the ANC confirmed that the meeting with the NEC members resulted in a resolution to reject Mathabatha’s intention to step aside. 

Instead, the party opted to refer the matter back to the Limpopo provincial structures, instructing them to address the specific issues raised by Mathabatha.

The outcome of this internal provincial resolution is expected to be communicated to national officials at a subsequent meeting.

The ANC said its official stance underscores its commitment to internal processes and accountability. 

"The ANC emphasises that this process is guided by the principles of organisational renewal, unity, and accountability," the party stated.

This decision effectively places the onus on Mathabatha and the Limpopo provincial committee to rectify the grievances he highlighted, rather than allowing him to simply relinquish his responsibilities.

The ultimatum to Mathabatha extends beyond merely addressing the provincial issues.

Mathabatha’s phone rang unanswered on Sunday, however, a senior National Executive Committee (NEC) member who was part of the meeting said Mbalula made it clear that if he is to step aside from his role as Limpopo chairperson, he must also resign from his post as Deputy Minister for Rural Development.

“This condition highlights the ANC’s demand for full accountability from us as members of the NEC, suggesting that a leader cannot voluntarily step away from one party position due to integrity concerns while retaining another significant public office,” the source said.

Mathabatha’s decision to step aside, and the ANC’s subsequent rejection, has not been without its critics, both internally and externally. 

The ANC Youth League’s provincial secretary, Phineas Sebola, publicly denounced Mathabatha’s action as "cowardice," arguing that a true leader should confront challenges and take responsibility rather than "run away".

The youth league called for Mathabatha to resign from both parliament and his deputy minister role, if he was truly serious about upholding his integrity.

This unfolding drama is set against the backdrop of the ANC’s recent by-election victory in Limpopo, specifically in ward 34 of Fetakgomo Tubatse local municipality. 

The party attributed this win to renewed voter confidence, which it now seeks to solidify through a renewed focus on service delivery and addressing the needs of the people.

"With all regional conferences in Limpopo now successfully concluded, the province is expected to focus on accelerating service delivery and responding to the needs of the people," the ANC stated.

Political analyst Metjie Makgoba said this ultimatum to Mathabatha serves as a clear message from the ANC leadership that internal issues must be resolved within the party’s structures, and leaders are expected to demonstrate unwavering commitment and accountability to the party's values and to the communities they serve. 

“The coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal how Mathabatha and the Limpopo provincial committee respond to this directive, and whether the party’s quest for renewal and unity will be successfully reinforced,” Makgoba said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za