In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through Limpopo politics, African National Congress (ANC) Limpopo chairperson Stan Mathabatha announced on Monday that he is stepping aside with immediate effect. His decision came just hours after the ANC Waterberg Region concluded its hotly contested 10th Regional Conference, ushering in new leadership under Moloko Jack Maeko, who was elected chairperson with 191 votes.
Delegates erupted in loud cheers when Maeko’s victory was announced at the packed venue, a jubilant celebration that now coincides with Mathabatha’s abrupt departure from provincial leadership.
In a formal letter addressed to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and copied to the National Executive Committee (NEC), Mathabatha cited concerns about misconduct and the erosion of ANC values within the province, particularly during the build-up and conduct of the Vhembe and Waterberg regional conferences.
“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,” wrote Mathabatha.
“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.”
He added that he was unwilling to “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.
The ANC’s step-aside rule was introduced in 2021 as part of efforts to tackle corruption and restore credibility within the party. It requires members formally charged with serious crimes, including corruption and fraud, to voluntarily step aside from their positions or face suspension. While Mathabatha is not facing any such charges, his decision to invoke the step-aside principle voluntarily is unprecedented. It appears to be a symbolic protest against what he sees as the degeneration of internal processes in Limpopo.
ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said they still need to authenticate the resignation letter.
“At this stage we cannot confirm or deny receipt of the letter,” he said.
The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) would meet urgently to deliberate on the way forward.
Mathabatha’s resignation shines a spotlight on long-simmering factional tensions in the province. Limpopo has historically been a hotbed of internal rivalries, with power struggles between regions shaping the outcome of provincial conferences.
The recently concluded Waterberg conference was itself marked by allegations of vote-buying, intimidation, and irregularities — claims that Mathabatha’s letter directly references. Similar accusations dogged the Vhembe regional conference earlier this year, with disputes escalating to the point where the NEC had to intervene.
One political analyst told journalists that Mathabatha’s decision was both principled and strategic.
“This is the first time we are seeing a provincial chairperson stepping aside not because of corruption charges, but because of dissatisfaction with the internal state of the ANC. It’s a political statement against the factionalism and contestation that have paralysed Limpopo structures,” said the analyst.
Mathabatha, who has been at the helm of Limpopo ANC since 2014, was once seen as a stabilising figure who enjoyed support from both the provincial structures and national leadership. His sudden exit leaves a leadership vacuum ahead of the ANC’s preparations for the 2026 local government elections.
The ANC NEC is now expected to appoint an interim provincial chairperson, a move that could deepen tensions between rival factions. Waterberg’s newly elected chairperson, Moloko Jack Maeko, is expected to play a significant role in shaping regional influence within the broader provincial picture.
“The ANC must urgently address the instability in Limpopo. The resignation of a provincial chairperson at such a critical time shows that our renewal project faces deep challenges,” admitted an NEC member, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Over the years, Limpopo ANC conferences have frequently ended in court battles, accusations of vote-rigging, and reports of intimidation of delegates. Mathabatha’s critique echoes growing concerns within the movement that internal democracy is being eroded in pursuit of power and positions.
Ordinary ANC members in Polokwane expressed mixed reactions. While some praised Mathabatha’s integrity, others argued that his exit could embolden factions to intensify their battles.
Thandi Maphosa, a long-time ANC activist from Seshego, said:
“Cde Mathabatha has taken a principled stand. It is painful, but maybe this is the wake-up call the ANC in Limpopo needs. We are tired of conferences that are about money, not ideas.”
However, another member, who asked not to be named, dismissed his decision as “grandstanding,” suggesting that Mathabatha may have lost political ground and chosen to exit before being pushed out.
For now, Mathabatha has indicated he remains available to discuss his concerns with the national leadership. His resignation sets the stage for further turbulence in Limpopo, where factionalism shows no signs of abating.
With Waterberg’s new leadership already asserting itself and the PEC facing uncertainty, the ANC in Limpopo is entering yet another period of instability — one that could have lasting consequences as the party seeks to maintain its electoral dominance in the province.
