Investigation launched: How did Joburg ANC conference 'ballots' land in Pretoria?

The African National Congress (ANC)’s Greater Johannesburg elective conference that was marred by allegations of bribery and election rigging is now under investigation by the police and the ANC’s national leadership.

This follows the discovery at a private home in Pretoria of ballot papers believed to be linked to the party's Greater Johannesburg regional conference that was held in December 2025.

Acting on the complaints, police visited a Pretoria home on Sunday, where ballot boxes and ballot papers were allegedly found.

A video later surfaced on social media showing police officers opening a black plastic bag in the backyard of the property, from which what appeared to be ballot papers were spilling out.

The conference saw Loyiso Masuku narrowly defeat City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. Masuku secured 184 votes to Morero’s 149, becoming the first woman to be elected as ANC Johannesburg regional chairperson.

ANC Gauteng convenor of deployees Khumbudzi Ntshavheni was among senior party officials who visited the Pretoria property where the ballot papers were allegedly discovered.

“This matter has to be processed and then I'll get the report, much as you would respond, allow me to get the report first there after ill be able to respond to you, i know you will like an instant answer but some of these matters one has to give consideration to,” Ntshavheni said.

She cautioned against drawing premature conclusions.

“The ANC has processes that are tight enough to safeguard its own processes, and the ANC is an organisation that continually builds on any weaknesses that may arise and we have remedies for any weaknesses that may arise. There is recourse. The ANC will have to process and discuss the way forward,” she added.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has also commented on the matter, stating that he is awaiting a detailed report regarding the discovery of the alleged ballot papers linked to the Johannesburg regional conference.

The Star approached the office of City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero for comment, but the mayor’s office declined to respond.

A week ago, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula requested a South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into the ANC’s Johannesburg regional election following complaints of alleged voting irregularities.

According to a Sunday newspaper report, Mbalula received allegations that candidate lists were altered and that the announced results did not match the raw data.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za