ANC Tshwane elective conference kicks off amid factional battles and leadership contests

The African National Congress (ANC) Greater Tshwane Region is holding its crucial three-day elective conference starting on Satuday, where it will choose a new leadership to steer the party in the capital city.

The 12th regional conference is taking place under the theme: “Renew, Rebuild and Unite for the Consolidation of People’s Power.”

However, the conference starts after several postponements due to administrative issues and at a time when deep-seated factional battles have spilled over into the political arena.

One of the positions set to be highly contested is that of regional secretary.

Outgoing secretary, George Matjila, is currently under police investigation for allegedly slapping an ANC comrade.

Matjila denies the assault charge, claiming it was orchestrated to sabotage his re-election campaign.

The outgoing regional chairperson, Eugene Modise, will also be hoping to retain his seat with the ultimate goal of becoming the party's mayoral candidate for Tshwane in the upcoming local government elections.

Modise, who is currentlythe Tshwane deputy mayor, comes into the conference following a damning report exposing alleged unethical behaviour between him and one of the city’s service providers.

He is expected to face stiff competition for the chairperson position from several senior ANC councillors in the Ccty.

The conference will also deliberate on the ANC’s multiparty coalition in Tshwane.

There are rumours that some members are unhappy that the mayoral position is currently occupied by an ActionSA councillor, despite the ANC being the bigger party in the coalition. This debate is likely to be a key point of discussion during the three-day meeting.