ANC branch general meetings (BGMs) held to nominate delegates and preferred leaders ahead of the regional conferences in Limpopo have descended into chaos, with fists flying and members hurling each other with chairs. 

Over the weekend, the incidents happened at different branches in the Norman Mashabane (Mopani), Peter Mokaba (Capricorn), and Sekhukhune regions, as warring factions battled for the soul of the governing party in their districts.

The BGMs are a precursor to the regional conferences scheduled for April and May this year. 

Members of the factions that win the upcoming regional conferences become frontrunners for top government and municipal positions, including mayors, municipal managers, chief whips, and committee chairpersons. 

One of the most violent attacks happened at a community hall at Mokwakwaila Village in Bolobedu when supporters of Norman Mashabane ANC regional chairperson Pule Shayi and his challenger, regional secretary Goodman Mitileni, fought over the credentials. 

Sam Mothomogolo, the Letaba sub-regional chairperson and the municipal public accounts committee (MPAC) chairperson in the Mopani District Municipality, was seen repeatedly hitting another member with a chair outside the Mokwakwaila Community Hall during a Ward 21 BGM.

The attack happened during the credentials verification process. 

According to an insider, the scuffle began when the member attacked with a chair provoked and traded political insults with Mothomogolo, who then hit his comrade with a chair. 

“This violent attack is a result of a leadership dispute caught between who must emerge between Pule Shayi and Goodman Mtileni as the regional chairperson. The person who was hit with a chair told Mothomogolo their time was up. He said it was time for Mitileni to take over and that Pule Shayi and Mothomogolo’s time was up,” said the ANC insider.

Mothomogolo declined to comment. 

Shayi is seeking to be retained as the regional chairperson for the third time in a row, while Mtileni, the current regional secretary, is eyeing to be the next Norman Mashabane Chairperson. 

The Norman Mashabane conference will take place from April 4 to 6, 2025, at a yet-to-be-announced venue. 

In the Peter Mokaba region, another member was severely assaulted and dragged out of the Capricorn District Municipal Chambers in Polokwane due to a credentials dispute during the ANC’s ward 39 general meeting on Sunday, 16 March. 

Speaking to African Times News, ward 39 member Tshepo Shogole, said he sustained bruises and injuries after being attacked for raising “genuine” concerns about the verification process.

“I was assaulted and dragged out of the hall for raising queries about the legitimacy of the meeting, as no member was verified before getting into the meeting, as it is ordinarily required that every member should be subjected to credential verifications before the meeting,” Shogole said. 

Shogole added that he has opened a case of assault with the Polokwane Police against Ward 39 branch chairperson Steven Mmatabane and his secretary.

The Peter Mokaba elective conference will be held from 25-27 April 2025. 

Polokwane Mayor John Mpe, the incumbent Peter Mokaba Regional Chairperson, is being challenged by Capricorn District Mayor Mamedupi Teffo, the provincial chairperson of the ANC Women’s League, for the regional top position. 

Meanwhile, at the Kgobokwane Robert Matseke branch in the Sekhukhune region, it is alleged that two members were shot while another one was crushed with a brick on the head as a result of factional differences. 

The ANC regional spokespersons in the Norman Mashabane, Peter Mokaba and Sekhukhune, were not immediately available to comment on these incidents. 

Limpopo ANC Provincial Spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said disruptions of branch general meetings will not be tolerated.