Key Takeaways
- ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has instructed the police to investigate the outcomes of the party’s Johannesburg regional conference due to alleged irregularities.
- The investigation will focus on claims of discrepancies in vote counts, altered candidate lists, and conflicts of interest between party members and the elections agency.
- The conference, which elected Joburg’s first female chairperson, may be rerun if the investigation finds evidence of wrongdoing.
- Mbalula’s decision may be linked to his own ambitions to contest the ANC presidency in 2027.
- The investigation has the potential to impact the party’s internal power struggles, particularly between Mbalula and deputy president Paul Mashatile.
Introduction to the Investigation
The African National Congress (ANC) is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the outcomes of its Johannesburg regional conference, which was held in December 2025. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has instructed the police to investigate the conference due to alleged irregularities, which may have affected the election of the region’s top leadership position. The investigation is a significant development, as it has the potential to impact the party’s internal power struggles and may even lead to the conference being rerun.
Allegations of Irregularities
The allegations of irregularities at the conference include claims that the announced results did not match the raw data, candidate lists were altered, and there were conflicts of interest between party members and the elections agency. Mbalula has informed Gauteng provincial task team co-ordinator Hope Papo of these disputes and has directed the party to hand over all conference-related material to the police. The material includes ballot papers, boxes, raw data, and consolidated data, as well as the report from the elections agency. The handover is to be done in the presence of ANC security, the electoral committee, and a representative of the ANC Veterans League.
Potential Consequences of the Investigation
The investigation has the potential to impact the outcomes of the regional conference, which elected Joburg’s first female chairperson. If the investigation finds evidence of wrongdoing, the conference may be rerun, which could have significant implications for the party’s leadership. The investigation may also affect Mbalula’s own ambitions to contest the ANC presidency in 2027. Mbalula is expected to go head-to-head with deputy president Paul Mashatile at the party’s national conference, and the investigation may be seen as an attempt to weaken Mashatile’s position.
Internal Power Struggles
The investigation is also linked to the party’s internal power struggles, particularly between Mbalula and Mashatile. The Sunday Times reported that Mashatile’s allies, including Thembinkosi "TK" Nciza, Lebogang Maile, and Panyaza Lesufi, were working behind the scenes to mount a fightback against Mbalula. The fightback is reportedly in response to Mbalula’s push for the disbandment of the Gauteng ANC’s provincial executive committee (PEC). The investigation may be seen as an attempt by Mbalula to weaken Mashatile’s position and gain an advantage in the party’s internal power struggles.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the investigation into the Johannesburg regional conference is a significant development in the ANC’s internal power struggles. The investigation has the potential to impact the party’s leadership and may even lead to the conference being rerun. Mbalula’s decision to involve the police in the investigation is a significant move, as it may be seen as an attempt to weaken Mashatile’s position and gain an advantage in the party’s internal power struggles. The next steps in the investigation will be closely watched, as they may have significant implications for the party’s future leadership and direction. The ANC’s national conference in 2027 is expected to be a pivotal moment in the party’s history, and the investigation may play a significant role in shaping the party’s future.