Limpopo ANC faces turmoil as Chairperson Stan Mathabatha resigns over misconduct claims

The ANC in Limpopo, a province often regarded as one of the party's strongest holds, is currently grappling with a significant internal shake-up after its Provincial Executive Committee confirmed that its provincial chair, Stan Mathabatha, has asked to vacate office. 

Mathabatha formally informed the party's national executive committee (NEC) of his decision to ‘step aside’ from his duties as provincial leader with immediate effect. 

This comes amid serious allegations of misconduct and a departure from ANC values within the provincial structures, particularly concerning controversial regional conferences of Vhembe and Waterberg.

ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed the receipt of Mathabatha's letter on Tuesday, saying that the provincial structure had seen a copy of the letter written to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

“The ANC in Limpopo confirms that it has received a copy of the letter of the provincial chairperson, which was directed to ANC national officials, wherein he steps aside as the provincial chairperson. The matter is directed to ANC national officials and, therefore, the national will deal with the matter and advise the province accordingly,” Machaka said.

Mathabatha’s decision, communicated in a letter dated September 1, has sent ripples through the provincial political landscape.

While he did not delve into detail, the former premier emphasised that his move is primarily aimed at preserving his personal integrity and distancing himself from what he described as “unethical conduct” occurring under his leadership.

In his letter, Mathabatha specifically pinpointed the contentious conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions, saying that the processes toward and conduct within the conferences of the Vhembe and Waterberg regions were improper. 

Allegations of meddling and vote rigging have marred these two conferences, with accusations pointing to the involvement of some leaders at Luthuli House, the ANC’s national headquarters.

Even members of the ANC NEC have voiced concerns regarding these conferences, especially those in Vhembe.

After a series of conferences, including one held in the Peter Mokaba Region, the ANC formed a team under NEC member Noxolo Kiviet.  This team was tasked with investigating numerous allegations of vote rigging and other irregularities. 

Premier Phophi Ramathuba, a leading candidate to succeed Mathabatha as provincial chair, is accused by aggrieved parties of manipulating votes in regional conferences. This could set her against Peter Mokaba regional chairperson, John Mpe.

“I would like to formally inform the national executive committee of my decision to step aside as the chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo, effective immediately. The decision is motivated by the concerning misconduct and lack of ANC values I have observed within the organisation in the province, particularly in relation to the processes towards and conduct within the conferences of the Vhembe and Waterberg regions,” Mathabatha wrote in the letter.

He further asserted his need to maintain his reputation, declaring: “To uphold my reputation and integrity, I cannot stand aloof to such unethical and un-ANC tendencies occurring under my leadership.”

However, Mathabatha’s decision has not been met with universal approval within the provincial structures. 

Limpopo ANC official Thabo Mabotja took to social media, accusing Mathabatha of hypocrisy and calling for his resignation as deputy minister as well. 

Mabotja's post highlighted what he perceived as selective principles, questioning why Mathabatha would only raise concerns about the Waterberg and Vhembe conferences when he himself addressed a “bogus regional conference of Peter Mokaba, which didn't have a final verification report and had serious challenges of credentials and legitimacy”.

Mabotja’s scathing critique continued: “Amabhubhezi [Mathabatha's nickname] must not apply selective principles otherwise he must just keep quite. So it's only those which he didn't address that are bogus but those which he addressed are legitimate (sic).”

Mabotja concluded his post by welcoming the resignation and calling for an early provincial conference.

“If he is genuine, he must use the correct constitutional provisions and resign, not step aside ...Lastly, if indeed he wants out, can he equally be bold enough and resign as a deputy minister.”

Meanwhile, Boy Mamabolo, suspended ANC member and former MP, has resigned from the ANC after almost 30 years. He cited internal sabotage, political marginalisation, and deliberate discrediting efforts as reasons for his departure.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za