In a dramatic political twist that has sent ripples through Limpopo and the national African National Congress (ANC), provincial chairperson Stanley Mathabatha has stepped aside from his position, citing misconduct and the erosion of party values within the province.

Mathabatha’s resignation letter, dated 1 September 2025 and addressed to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, was formally acknowledged by the party on Tuesday. The correspondence surfaced on social media before the ANC’s official statement, sparking immediate public debate and speculation about internal tensions in the governing party.

“I would like to formally inform the National Executive Committee of my decision to step aside as the chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo Province, effective immediately,” Mathabatha wrote. “This decision is motivated by the concerning misconduct and lack of ANC values that I have observed within the organisation in this province, particularly in relation to the processes towards and conduct within the conferences of the Vhembe and Waterberg regions.”

The outgoing chairperson, who has led the Limpopo ANC for more than a decade, said he could not “stand aloof to such unethical and un-ANC tendencies occurring under my leadership,” stressing that his integrity and reputation required him to vacate the position.

A Shock After Waterberg Conference
Mathabatha’s dramatic step aside came just hours after the ANC Waterberg Region concluded its hotly contested 10th Regional Conference. Moloko Jack Maeko emerged as chairperson with 191 votes in a tightly fought contest that drew hundreds of delegates to a packed venue.

The victory, greeted with deafening cheers and song, was widely viewed as a signal of shifting power dynamics in the province. Within hours of Maeko’s win, news broke that Mathabatha had tendered his resignation as provincial chairperson, adding fuel to speculation that the outcome of the Waterberg conference may have hastened his decision.

ANC’s Official Response

In a statement issued on Wednesday, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu confirmed receipt of Mathabatha’s letter and announced that Secretary-General Mbalula had convened a meeting with him. “The ANC registers its dismay that this correspondence first surfaced on social media before internal party protocols were observed,” the statement read.

Bhengu said Mbalula will also meet with the Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Thursday, 4 September, to deliberate on the issues raised by Mathabatha. “The ANC will, at an appropriate time, communicate the outcomes of the engagement with the Limpopo provincial leadership,” she added.

Meanwhile, the ANC in Limpopo also confirmed it had received a copy of Mathabatha’s letter but said it was constrained from commenting. Provincial spokesperson Machaka Mathole Jimmy said the PEC would await direction from the National Officials on how to proceed.

Symbolic Use of the Step-Aside Rule

The ANC’s step-aside rule, introduced in 2021, was designed as part of reforms to tackle corruption. It compels members formally charged with serious crimes such as corruption or fraud to step aside from leadership positions or risk suspension.

Mathabatha is not facing any such charges, making his voluntary decision to invoke the step-aside principle unusual. Analysts suggest it may serve as a symbolic protest against what he perceives as the decline of ethical leadership within the Limpopo ANC.

“Mathabatha’s step-aside is not about personal legal jeopardy but about principle,” explained Dr. Mpho Rasebotsa, a political analyst based at the University of Limpopo to another media outlet. “By stepping aside voluntarily, he is signaling to the ANC nationally that the problems in Limpopo have reached a point where he cannot lend his name to them. It’s a powerful indictment of the processes that unfolded in Vhembe and Waterberg, and it could set a precedent for leaders to use step-aside as a form of political protest, not just as a disciplinary measure.”

Divisions in Limpopo

For years, Limpopo has been considered an ANC stronghold, but factional battles have increasingly undermined the party’s cohesion. The recent Vhembe and Waterberg regional conferences were marred by allegations of irregularities, vote-buying, and intimidation — issues Mathabatha referenced in his resignation.

His decision to step aside now places the provincial ANC in a state of uncertainty. With no immediate successor in place, the PEC and national officials must urgently decide how to stabilize the province ahead of crucial by-elections and preparations for the ANC’s 2027 national elective conference.

What Lies Ahead

Mathabatha’s move has raised difficult questions for the ANC leadership. While some insiders believe his resignation may spark a wider conversation about restoring discipline and integrity in provincial structures, others fear it could deepen divisions and embolden rival factions.

“Stan Mathabatha was seen as a stabilizing figure, even if not universally popular,” said Rasebotsa. “His departure opens the door for intensified factional battles. The national leadership has to act decisively, or Limpopo could become a flashpoint for broader instability in the ANC.”

For now, all eyes will be on Mbalula’s meeting with the provincial leadership later this week, where the ANC will attempt to navigate one of its most dramatic provincial crises in recent years.