Mbalula clears Vhembe and Norman Mashabane regions in Limpopo ANC succession race

The battle to succeed the current provincial chairperson in Limpopo has intensified, fuelled by an announcement from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula regarding the results of an investigation into alleged irregularities at the province's regional elective conferences. 

Last week, Mbalula summoned the ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to Luthuli House, where he delivered the crucial findings of a six-month-long investigation. 

The probe was tasked with looking into allegations of bogus delegates, gatekeeping, and disputes during recent regional elective conferences in three of Limpopo’s five regions.

According to Mbalula’s advice to the PEC, investigations have officially cleared the Vhembe and Norman Mashabane regional conferences of any wrongdoing. 

ANC Limpopo spokesperson Mathole Jimmy Machaka confirmed the outcome, saying the PEC was told that both the Norman Mashabane and the Vhembe regional conferences were legitimate. 

The legitimacy granted to the current leadership in these two regions by this decision, in turn, bolsters their influence in the forthcoming provincial conference.

However, the shadow of doubt remains over the Peter Mokaba Region, led by Polokwane Mayor and regional chairperson John Mpe, who also has provincial chairperson ambitions.

Mpe is also known to harbour ambitions for the provincial chairperson position, challenging current Premier Phophi Ramathuba to replace provincial chairperson Stan Mathabatha.

The ANC provincial secretary, Reuben Madadzhe, has previously legitimised the Peter Mokaba Regional Elective Conference in Limpopo, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities during the conference.

The conference, held in Polokwane in May, saw Polokwane mayor, Mpe, re-elected unopposed as chairperson for a third term, amid violent clashes and police intervention.

The conference descended into chaos on its first day, with delegates clashing and hurling chairs and tablecloths at one another in protest.

According to Mbalula, the investigation into the Peter Mokaba Region is still ongoing, and the matter has been referred to the National Dispute Resolution Committee of Appeals (NDRCA) to determine the region's legitimacy.

This decision on Peter Mokaba has done little to deter factions within the region. 

An ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) member, who is in Mpe’s camp, expressed defiant confidence. 

“To be honest, this is just politics clouded by anger and infighting instead of us uniting… We won that conference fair and square… but like any other factional battles, we have bitter comrades who don't want to move forward,” the source said.

However, a dissident group of delegates, led by former ANC Youth League official Thabo Mabotja, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the proceedings.

Mabotja claimed that the conference did not meet the necessary quorum to continue with elections.

"We believe these elections were irregular and premature. We will be engaging the provincial and national leadership on this matter," Mabotja said at the time.

The PEC is pushing to hold an early provincial elective conference to ensure stability ahead of the upcoming local government elections next year. The current provincial leadership's term is due to lapse in June 2026.

The cleared Norman Mashabane Region is poised to play a major role, with three of its members being lined up for the deputy provincial chairperson position, currently held by Florence Radzilani. 

These names include Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature Makoma Makhurupetje, COGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu (who is also the current Limpopo ANC deputy secretary), and the sitting Norman Mashabane ANC regional chair, Pule “Frelimo” Shayi, who is also Mopani District mayor.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za