During a conference marked by infighting, urgent court applications and eventually a boycott, Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Tshitereke Matibe was re-elected chairperson of the ANC in Vhembe.
The ANC's ninth regional conference took place at the Kalahari Lodge on the banks of the Nandoni Dam over the past weekend. Even before the conference began, it was clear that the two factions within the ANC in the region did not agree on many issues.
One of the major bones of contention appeared to be the process followed to elect the new ANC leaders in Vhembe, and more specifically, who was eligible to vote. This had led to the conference's being postponed in December last year. The procedures for verifying members and electing representatives were revisited, and a new roadmap was agreed on.
It seems that distrust between the two factions flared up when the nomination and delegation boxes were opened last Tuesday and Wednesday (29 and 30 April). It was alleged that some of the boxes had been tampered with and that nominations by some of the branches should first be verified.
The Regional Task Team (RTT), which had been set up to handle the election process, was then instructed to make way for the ANC secretary-general's office, along with the provincial secretary and the deputy secretary of the provincial executive. The process of verifying the delegates continued without the RTT's participation.
Much of what transpired is reflected in court papers filed this weekend. ANC members from various branches, along with members of the RTT, filed separate court applications.
The RTT, under the leadership of Rudzani Ludere, approached the High Court in Thohoyandou on an urgent basis, asking to be allowed to continue with the election process without interference.
Apart from Ludere, the applicants included well-known politicians such as Mihloti Muhlophe (former Musina mayor), Simon Mavikane (a senior official at Collins Chabane Municipality), Godfrey Mawela (Musina's mayor), Gumani Mukwevho (Makhado's Speaker) and Jeanet Matumba (Makhado councillor) and Sampson Baloyi (Makhado Chief Whip).
In the court papers, it is argued that the ANC had developed the guidelines for electing the regional executive council. The RTT was formed to oversee the process, with dates set for various steps to be completed.
After the boxes containing nominations and delegate names were opened, tempers reportedly flared. "The Regional Convenor, Mr Matibe, started raising complaints and discontentment about the nominations and as a direct consequen[ce] thereto, the process of opening of the boxes and the preparations of the list of the delegates had to be adjourned," states the affidavit filed.
It was then agreed that a meeting would be held on 1 May to address the concerns raised and chart a way forward. "In the meeting it was resolved that we should proceed with the other boxes which … do not have any disputes," it was stated.
According to the RTT, they were subsequently excluded from the process. They also argue that the "rules" were changed and that verification for the election was to be carried out by the top five members of each branch – a move they claim is contrary to the ANC's constitution.
The merits of the case were never argued, as Judge Thogomelani Tshidada, who presided over both cases, struck the court applications off the roll. He ruled that key respondents – the ANC National Dispute Resolution Committee and the party's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula – had not been served with answering affidavits.
The conference proceeded on Sunday, seemingly without the disgruntled members' being present.
A member of the ANC National Executive, Njabulo Nzuza, addressed the conference and said unity was possible in the ANC if leaders were not driven by other interests. "As we choose leaders, let us elect leaders that we know are going to put the interests of this region ahead of themselves. We must make it our primary mission to root out corruption wherever it manifests itself. It is for this reason that we call on all our people to join us in our endeavour and renewed efforts to defeat crass materialism, consumerism and other ills that threaten the moral fibre of our society," he said.
"This is a reality that we must not forget. We should always remember and appreciate the fact that we are volunteers in the movement."
The ANC's Limpopo secretary, Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe, said action would be taken against party members who had not accepted the outcome of the conference and had gone to court to challenge the decision of their organisation. He said elected leaders must not use the leadership platform to fight for positions.
"One of the key mandates of the newly elected leadership is to unite comrades who were sharing contrary views coming to this conference. We will not be tolerating wrong tendencies of undermining the elected leadership," he said.
Vhembe District Municipality spokesperson Matodzi Ralushai was elected regional secretary, while Musina's Chief Whip, Fistos Mafela, is the new regional treasurer. Miyelani Chauke is the new deputy regional chairperson, and Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi was elected deputy secretary.
The newly elected chairperson of the Vhembe region, Tshitereke Matibe, said the leadership in the region would strengthen local government in terms of service delivery. "We need to ensure that our municipalities are delivering the needed services to the people," he said.
He added that people should not forget that the ANC led as a collective. "There is only one ANC in this region, and we will never allow it to be divided into two. We need to focus on the resolutions and declarations made at this conference and not focus on individual aspirations," he said.
According to Matibe, the newly elected leadership will focus on improving the municipal administration of all municipalities in the district to enhance service delivery.