Mbalula, Motsoeneng and Shasha have been asked to intervene in the Fezile Dabi ANC fallout, as tensions rise within the African National Congress’s regional structures in the Free State province.
By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Fezile Dabi region is facing a deepening crisis, with members of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) calling for urgent action from top party leaders. In a letter dated 22 August 2025, addressed to Acting Regional Secretary Isaac Ngozo and copied to Provincial Secretary Polediso Motsoeneng, PEC Convener of Deployees Mando Shasha, and Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, the signatories raised serious concerns about the erosion of organisational processes and collective leadership. This comes amid broader challenges in the Free State ANC, including recent decisions to remove mayors and intervene in underperforming municipalities.
The letter, signed by 12 REC members including Sello Pietersen, Toy Mokatsae, Philip Kganyago, Serame Ramathesele, Matsolo Mmolotsane, Tshidi Robert, Caravan Motloung, Neo Mosia, Nduthule Radebe, Thandiwe Soetsang, Matsatsi Mofokeng, and Sylvia Mofumane, highlights a disregard for ANC rules that threatens the party’s unity, credibility, and internal democracy. It refers to the ANC Constitution, specifically Rule 5.2, which requires members to “observe discipline, behave honestly, and carry out loyally the decisions of the majority and of higher structures.” It also cites Rule 25.2, which bans “any act of factionalism or conduct that undermines the unity and cohesion of the ANC.”
At the heart of the dispute is a Special REC meeting held on 20 August 2025. During this gathering, the REC resolved to reconvene the Regional Working Committee (RWC) meeting on 21 August 2025 to tackle key issues related to the upcoming Regional Lekgotla. These concerns included credentials and branch delegates, where several newly established branch structures and delegates had not been processed or verified according to constitutional guidelines. This was backed by PEC deployees at the meeting. There is also uncertainty about the composition of Branch Task Teams (BTTs) and Ward Task Teams (WTTs), such as whether former Branch Executive Committees (BECs) are being converted into task teams or completely replaced. This directly affects the Lekgotla’s delegation makeup, and the special RWC was meant to resolve it.
Another major issue raised is financial planning and funding for the Lekgotla. Questions linger over costs and funding sources, which have not been transparently approved by the REC. Despite these decisions, the Acting Secretary reportedly issued a communique to branches with directives that contradict the REC resolution. Preparations for the Lekgotla are moving forward without following collective decision-making or proper procedures.
The letter stresses the role of the Regional Secretary as the administrative and political head of the region, tasked with protecting the ANC’s interests. Duties include communicating and implementing decisions from the REC, RWC, and higher bodies; managing minutes, correspondence, and timely communication; coordinating logistics and documentation for meetings and conferences; and promoting unity while ensuring directives align with the constitution and REC-approved decisions.
In light of the situation, the signatories pose several pointed questions to the Regional Secretary:
a. On what mandate or constitutional provision were the directives to branches based?
b. How do these directives align with the REC resolution from 20 August 2025?
c. Were these directives formally tabled, discussed, or ratified at an REC or RWC meeting?
d. Is there documentation or minutes indicating formal approval of the directives?
e. Were relevant stakeholders consulted prior to issuing the directives?
f. How are the financial and logistical implications being addressed?
The letter also reaffirms the powers of the REC, which include implementing ANC policy and programmes in the region; enforcing decisions from higher conferences and councils; providing political and organisational direction to the RWC; delegating and supervising tasks; managing funds and assets; requesting reports from branches; and recommending the suspension or dissolution of lower committees when needed.
An annexure in the letter outlines recommended steps for planning the Lekgotla to ensure it is professional, politically sound, and constitutionally compliant. These measures are:
1. Verification of Credentials – All branch delegates and structures must be formally verified and accredited in line with constitutional provisions. PEC deployees should confirm credentials.
2. Agenda and Programme – The REC must oversee the development of a clear, structured agenda aligned with ANC policy priorities.
3. Financial Planning and Accountability – A transparent budget must be prepared and approved by the REC, with all expenses accounted for.
4. Communication and Consultation – All relevant stakeholders must be consulted prior to finalizing arrangements; clear communication must be issued through official channels.
5. Logistical Arrangements – Venues, transportation, accommodation, and other logistical elements must be professionally coordinated, with health, safety, and accessibility considered.
6. Supervision and Oversight – The REC must supervise the planning process, ensuring adherence to constitutional rules and resolutions. Any deviations must be rectified immediately.
7. Documentation and Reporting – All decisions, minutes, and resolutions must be recorded and distributed promptly to relevant structures, with a final report submitted to the REC and PEC for review.
The signatories demand immediate corrective action to reinforce adherence to the ANC Constitution and REC resolutions, ensure all directives related to the Lekgotla are professionally planned and transparently executed, and restore genuine collective leadership, internal democracy, and accountability in the region. They request acknowledgement of the letter and an urgent response.
Attempts to get comments from the ANC Fezile Dabi region and provincial leadership on these issues were unsuccessful, as questions sent were ignored.
The Fezile Dabi region, which covers municipalities like Metsimaholo, Moqhaka, Ngwathe, and Mafube, was elected in January 2023. Isaac Ngozo was officially appointed as Acting Regional Secretary in September 2023, a role he holds until the Regional General Council. This appointment aimed to stabilise the region’s administration amid ongoing challenges.
This internal conflict unfolds against a backdrop of wider troubles in the Free State ANC. On 21 August 2025, the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) issued a press statement on the legislature, governance, and local government report. It discusses the perils of organisational decay due to leadership failures, sins of incumbency, corruption, and lack of consequence management. These issues have led to the disarticulation of the national democratic revolution and the erosion of democratic dividends, hitting the poor and marginalised hardest.
The PEC emphasised the need for resilient, courageous, and principled leadership, along with a committed cadreship and mobilised civil society, as part of the ANC’s renewal project. It reflected on the 2024 electoral defeats, attributing them not to opposition growth but to the ANC’s internal state and governance track record. Failures in municipalities, such as under-expenditure, irregular expenditure, poor infrastructure maintenance, unqualified appointments, collapsed troikas, and blurred executive-administrative lines, undermine performance and could lead to further losses.
The PEC met on 11 August 2025 to review progress from prior sessions, including a province-wide roadshow to assess the organisation and governance. This was complemented by insights from a Joint Portfolio Committee on Local Government visit. Officials also engaged with alliance partners like SAMWU and SANCO to address challenges.
Key decisions from the PEC include:
1. Establishment and reconfiguration of branches, with leadership re-establishing non-existent structures and reconfiguring those with lapsed mandates to strengthen grassroots connections.
2. Preparation for by-elections in Nala Municipality, noting positive prospects for victory under the Lejweleputswa REC and provincial elections team.
3. Roadmaps for regional conferences in Mangaung and Lejweleputswa later in 2025, with administrative processes underway and PEC deployees providing support.
4. Acknowledgement of Councillor Mary Crocket’s voluntary step-aside in Maluti-a-Phofung due to legal challenges, in line with ANC rules.
5. Report from the National Executive Committee (NEC) on preparations for the National General Council for mid-term assessments.
6. Engagements with SAMWU and SANCO to strengthen alliances, emphasising the Alliance Secretariat’s role and planning an Alliance Summit for mid-September 2025. Regional structures are directed to improve relations.
7. Adoption of the Legislature and Governance Report, referred to the Provincial Working Committee (PWC) for urgent implementation.
8. Urgent interventions in municipalities like Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala, and Lejweleputswa District, where disclaimers, weak leadership, poor governance, and corruption allegations persist. Redeployments will occur, with the PWC to announce details. Provincial CoGTA will act on corruption claims. Senior management positions must be filled by end-2025 with competent, ethical professionals.
9. Strengthening the War Room and Monitoring & Evaluation mechanisms to track ANC resolutions, government programmes, and unfinished projects.
10. Directing deployees to focus on manifesto commitments, January 8 Statement priorities, and Provincial Lekgotla injunctions, especially water and electricity security, pothole eradication, job creation, and township economy support for SMMEs.
11. Noting court findings against Ngwathe Municipality and planning a forum with national interventions, L&G subcommittee, SALGA, Premier, and MEC CoGTA.
12. Committing to ethical leadership and ANC renewal to regain moral authority.
13. Planning a “Cadres Assembly” for political clarity and accountability, plus a proactive communications programme to share progress directly with communities.
The PEC recognises municipal failures as collective leadership shortcomings and vows urgent, fair, and decisive action to restore credibility ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. It reaffirms commitment to integrity, clean governance, and 2021 manifesto promises.
Adding to the regional tensions, the ANC Free State has removed mayors, speakers, and chief whips in seven municipalities, including Mafube and Moqhaka in Fezile Dabi. This follows the special PEC meeting on 20 August 2025, convened to address municipal challenges. The moves are part of efforts to tackle persistent disclaimers, weak leadership, and poor service delivery. Specifically, the Fezile Dabi ANC deputy chairperson and Moqhaka Local Municipality mayor have been sacked.
Earlier in 2025, the ANC conducted a roadshow in Fezile Dabi from 26-28 July to assess and strengthen structures. A National Working Committee visit in March also focused on the region, concluding positively. These activities highlight ongoing efforts to rebuild amid electoral setbacks.
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