ANC tightens conference deadlines amid bribery claims in Johannesburg

The ANC is navigating turbulent waters as it approaches its 5th National General Council (NGC), slated for December 8 to 11, 2025.

In a bid to maintain organisational stability and momentum, the party has issued tightened deadlines for its regional structures to hold their elective conferences by December 3, 2025.

The Johannesburg regional conference, scheduled for December 3 to 5 at Cedar Woods, has become a focal point of controversy amid allegations of bribery and confusion surrounding scheduling.

The ANC regional elective conference has once again cast the spotlight on the succession battle, with lines drawn between current chairperson Dada Morero and Bandile Masuku.

A source close to the situation has stated: "Well, I am being told that there are allegations of bribery coming from both the Dada Morero and the Bandile Masuku factions. These are just counter allegations and nothing concrete."

ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has issued a stern warning for all outstanding regional structures to kick-start their conferences by no later than Wednesday, December 3.

In February, the ANC’s regional executive committee for the Greater Johannesburg Region announced that its upcoming elective conference will be held from 20 to 22 June. The event is now scheduled to take place just days before the party’s NGC meeting next week.

Mbalula's whip comes as the Tshwane regional conference, which was scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 2, has been postponed with a new window of December 5 to 14.

Reports have revealed that the decision was taken after the ANC Gauteng provincial Task Team meeting on Thursday, with the regional coordinator, George Matjila, confirming the postponement.

Mbalula has written various letters to regional conferences coordinators, including Sasabona Manganyi, and the convenor of the national executive committee deployees in Gauteng, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

He reportedly issued strict instructions to three regional structures, directing them to commence their conferences by Wednesday, emphasising that this is in line with the party's NGC roadmap.

"It is important that all outstanding processes related to the 2025 conference roadmap must be mobilised to ensure organisational stability and aim for a smooth transition into preparations for the 5th national general council, scheduled to take place on 8 to 11 December 2025," Mbalula stated.

In another letter on November 27, addressed to ANC provincial task team coordinator Hope Papo, and regional task team coordinators, Mbalula reiterated the need to honour the NGC‑set dates, stating: "This communique serves to inform you that, in line with the roadmap to ANC regional conferences and the NGC, the Johannesburg regional conference must be held no later than Wednesday, 3 December 2025.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za