Factional Battles In ANC Tshwane Spark Fears Of Weakening Party’s Election Strength

The ANC Greater Tshwane regional leadership is grappling with deep factional divisions that could undermine the party’s provincial election prospects. Tshwane is the ANC’s second-largest stronghold in Gauteng, after Greater Johannesburg, making stability in the region critical to the party’s future.

Eleven members of the regional task team (RTT) — led by deputy convenor Frans Boshielo, deputy coordinator Sidwell Manana, and fundraiser Simphiwe Mbatha — have lodged complaints with both Luthuli House and the Gauteng ANC leadership.

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The group, calling themselves the “Concerned Regional Executive Committee Members,” accuse certain RTT members of manipulating the branch elections process. They allege that regional coordinator George Matjila and his allies are engaging in “wrong” and “un-ANC” conduct, jeopardising organisational unity.

“The ANC in Tshwane is besieged with rogue elements at the highest level of our leadership and branches. We have serious organisational shortcomings,” the Concerned REC members stated in their letter.

Allegations of Manipulated Branch Elections

The disgruntled leaders claim that Matjila publicly boasted about working with the ANC secretary-general’s office to influence membership in Tshwane. They accuse him, along with regional chair Bonzo Modise and member Tlangi Mogale, of “stealing” branches to secure re-election.

According to the group, Matjila has allegedly been attending branch general meetings (BGMs) and branch biannual meetings (BBGMs) alongside his allies, pressuring members to nominate him so branches could pass audits.

Out of 32 branches scheduled for BGMs, 26 have reportedly lodged disputes over irregularities in the electoral process.

“The majority of branches in Tshwane have serious membership irregularities,” Boshielo wrote. “Most of the renewed membership does not appear on the ANC portal, and yet the regional coordinator insists on convening meetings because the situation favours his faction.”

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Declining Voter Turnout Raises Alarm

The concerned members warn that internal power struggles could alienate long-standing ANC supporters ahead of the 2026 local government elections. They link the sharp decline in voter turnout since 2023 to the leadership of Matjila and Modise, claiming the focus on personal power has fuelled voter apathy.

“There is a potential of disgruntlement of the old membership leading them to not participate in the 2026 local government elections due to the narrow selfish interests for positions,” Boshielo cautioned.

He also alleged that Matjila had engaged in heated confrontations with branch officials who refused to support his re-election bid.

The group further questions why the ANC has not applied its step-aside rule to Matjila, as required when members face criminal charges, highlighting a perceived double standard in the party’s enforcement of its constitution.

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