The factional politics at play in the ANC in the Greater Johannesburg region – with one camp firmly in support of Loyiso Masuku was was elected regional chairperson and another backing Dada Morero with claims that Masuku’s election was rigged – could have serious repercussions for the party at the local government elections later this year.

The regional conference, held in December, culminated in a narrow victory for Masuku over rival  Morero. While Masuku’s election was initially seen as a sign of continuity within the party, the atmosphere surrounding the event quickly soured as serious allegations of bribery and election rigging began to surface.

This week, the situation escalated when previously undisclosed ballot papers were discovered with reports suggesting that the ANC’s national leadership and police are actively probing these claims.

As a result, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested a comprehensive report concerning the ballot findings linked to the regional conference.

Sasabona Manganye, the ANC’s regional secretary, has denied any claims of vote rigging during the conference held in December.

This has left the two opposing camps deeply divided, with those in favour of Masuku, having issues with the probe, while those in favour of Morero have claimed alleged vote rigging and conference manipulation.

A source close to the Masuku faction poured scorn on the investigation, saying there was opposition to woman in top leadership, saying that those who claim irregularities are ‘just bitter over the recent outcomes of the conference’.

“There’s absolutely no case. Our candidate won fair and square. Even with the last national elections, there were issues with ballot papers. For us, we see this as just a matter of trying to get people to buying time and waste the time of the ANC,” she said.

The source described this as an unnecessary distraction as the region is preparing to contest important bi-elections, saying the investigation is taking away efforts that should be directed at ensuring that the party consolidates its support on the ground.

“We are now preparing to go to the bi-elections and other important work of the movement. So they must allow us to start working,” the source said.  

Meanwhile, another source from Morero’s camp claimed that they have proof of alleged vote rigging.

“The discovery of ballots in Pretoria proves our point,” he said.

On Tuesday, the party in a statement, urged its members to respect the investigation currently underway, with the national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, stating that the party is committed to transparency and respect for the rule of law.

“All ANC members are urged to await the outcome of these processes, not to make any public statements, and to ensure that the elected leadership of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) of ANC Greater Johannesburg Region is respected and allowed to continue discharging their duties in terms of the ANC Constitution and in the service of the people of Johannesburg,” she stated.

Reacting to the recent developments within the region, political commentator Professor Andre Thomashausen, said this was indicative of the politics of the stomach, which he said continue to fail ordinary South Africans, especially the residents of Johannesburg, who deserve better.

“The politics of the stomach are failing South Africans everywhere and especially in Johannesburg. There is never consequence for wrongdoing, and there is forever the greed for a larger and newer motorcar, better and more luxurious travel, and more opulence. The crumbling of the city’s infrastructure has already tarnished South Africa’s standing globally, and the loss of credibility of electoral acts is undermining the constitution,” he said.

Andile Swana, another political analyst, said: “The electoral committee of the ANC should have made sure that the elections have full integrity and that there’s a complete safeguarding of electoral materials, including the ballot papers, (especially) once the voting has been done and counted.

“There’s no comment about that, and that is a problem.”

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za 

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