A disgruntled member of the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo, Napo Pitjadi has interdicted the 9th Sekhukhune regional elective conference.
The conference was billed to sit from Thursday, 24 to Friday, 25 April 2025, at Boeketlong lodge outside Jane Furse in Sekhukhune. It was meant to elect new regional leaders to spearhead the party’s political programs for the next three years, and lead the upcoming local government elections campaign.
According to a court order at the disposal of African Times, the conference is barred from sitting until the regional task team (RTT), a first respondent finalises a pending dispute relating to the ANC’s ward 36 Phakanoka Branch’s (a second respondent) non- compliance during their branch general meeting (BGM). The BGM was convened to elect delegates to attend the regional conference and to nominate candidates for leadership positions.
In her ruling on Wednesday, 23 April, Judge MO Mahlo of the Sekhukhune regional’s court granted Pitjadi an order stopping the Sekhukhune regional conference from proceeding with its order of business.
“The First Respondent is interdicted from holding the 9th Regional Conference until the resolution of the Second Respondent’s dispute relating to Second Respondent’s Branch General meeting held on 30 March 2025 to elect delegation to attend the Sekhukhune 9th Regional Conference and to nominate candidates for Regional Executive Committee. (SIC)
“Pending the finalisation of the dispute relating to Second Respondent’s Branch General Meeting of 30 March 2025 to elect delegates for the Regional Conference and nomination of Regional Executive Committee candidates, the First Respondent is interdicted from proceeding with the 9th Regional Conference,” Judge Mahlo ruled.
She further ordered the respondents to pay the legal costs that Pitjadi incurred in his urgent application.
As it is stand the ANC in Sekhukhune will have to delay the conference until 28 May 2025, to prove to the same court why the interim order should not be made final.
The Sekhukhune RTT spokesperson, Sam Uwane told African Times that they have taken the matter to their lawyers for guidance on the way forward.
According to a source with intimate knowledge on the development of the conference, many branches that are opposing the popular slate are prevented to attend the conference, in order to make it look like it’s uncontested.
“There is actually a stunt to display unity, but truth is, there are many branches that are prevented for attending Congress (like this one). This is to silence many, so in reality, there is no fair chance to allow contests. It’s made to look like the Congress is uncontested (SIC),” the source said.
The source further revealed that out of 117 branches in the region, only 90 will be represented in the conference.
Makhuduthamaga local municipal mayor Minah Bahula is expected to stand as the regional chairperson, while Tala Mathope will contest for the secretariat position.
It’s unclear who, if any, are the candidates contesting for the same positions.
