Cape Town – A group of African National Congress (ANC) members in the greater Tshwane region has approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to challenge the legitimacy of the party’s regional elective conference held in December 2025, arguing that it was held in violation of the ANC’s own constitution.
According to court papers filed by 33 ANC branch members, the conference — which took place from 12 to 14 December and elected a new regional executive committee — failed to meet key constitutional requirements.
The applicants, led by Simphiwe Mbatha, want the court to declare both the event and its outcomes unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void.
In their affidavit, the applicants argue that the ANC’s Rule 21.4.1, which mandates that at least 90% of delegates at a regional conference must be directly elected branch delegates, was not respected. Instead, they say only about 88.7% of delegates were from branches, with insufficient representation from other party structures, undermining the legality of the entire process.
🔥🔥🔥🔥 DISASTER FOR THE ANC IN TSHWANE!!
In a 630 page application to the High Court, disgruntled ANC members, 33 applicants have filed a motion to declare the Tshwane ANC regional conference unlawful and in violation of conference guidelines.
It’s an absolute war zone. pic.twitter.com/c2h3fEYR3I— Jordan Griffiths (@JordiGriff) February 5, 2026
The contested conference saw the election of a new regional executive committee (REC), including Eugene Modise as regional chair and George Matjila as regional secretary, among others.
It was attended by senior ANC figures, including national executive committee deployees such as Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Dinah Pule and Supra Mahumapelo, and closed by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who addressed party unity and the upcoming elections.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
