Ekurhuleni ANC conference continues despite court challenge

The African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni opened its 8th Regional Conference in Kempton Park on Friday under tight security amid a last-minute court challenge by six party members seeking to halt the proceedings. 

The applicants argued that the regional task Team (RTT) lacked legitimacy to convene the three-day gathering and that decisions made on June 10, 2025, including branch meetings and preparations for the elective conference, were invalid.

In a decision the court described as not urgent, the matter was not upheld to halt the conference, allowing the regional gathering to proceed. 

More than 90 branches were expected to elect new leaders as the region renews its organisational mandate under the conference theme: “Advancing Organisational Renewal, Unity, and People-Centred Service Delivery through Good and Ethical Governance.”

Gauteng Premier and ANC Gauteng convenor Panyaza Lesufi addressed delegates, praising the work done to convene branches and prepare for the election.

“We are here today to congratulate you for the elaborate work that we’ve done in convening our branches in various BGM, and in doing so, you exercise a right movement to debate, discuss, and nominate people to represent you in this conference.” 

He added that the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) guided process has ensured the conference adheres to internal rules and obtained the party’s secretary-general’s consent.

“We are here to declare that according to the guidelines adopted by the NEC, the gathering is legitimate and has the consent of the ANC secretary-general,” Lesufi said, referring to a letter from Fikile Mbalula authorising the conference.

The provincial leadership has cited the secretary-general’s letter as confirmation that the conference meets national guidelines. 

NEC member Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni delivered the NEC’s input on Friday. The NEC member presented the national party’s assessment as delegates prepared to vote for regional leaders later in the day.

She stressed that the conference remains focused on renewal and service delivery. “Our priority is unity and good governance, with programme-based actions that keep us connected to communities,” she said.

The proceedings come after a turbulent recent history in Ekurhuleni. The region’s last leadership election in 2022 was marred by violence, with votes from at least 12 branches quarantined and excluded from the final tally. 

The outcome led to enduring questions about the region’s internal processes, which the ANC says are now aligned with national guidelines to prevent repeating past disputes.

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

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