By: Matshediso Selebeleng

Despite governance failures and internal battles, the Free State secretary says the ANC is on the path to renewal

Despite mounting challenges — from failing municipalities to bitter internal divisions — the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State is on a path to renewal, with provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng insisting the party will soon emerge stronger and revitalised. During a post-Provincial Executive Committee meeting media briefing at the provincial headquarters (Kaize Sebothelo building) on Monday, Motsoeneng said 244 of the 319 branches have successfully elected their branch executive committees. This is despite recent disputes from some branches in the Lejweleputswa region, where members com plained of irregularities and challenges with the party’s membership system. “We acknowledge the challenges that remain, par t icularly the inconsistency of the membership system, which has proven unreliable in qualifying branches based solely on quorum rather than the completion of leadership elections,” he said. He further stressed that, “If REC or PEC members begin to interfere with the pro cess of BGMs, that is a contravention of the laid-down rules. Where it has happened, branches of the ANC have a responsibility to lodge a dispute regarding the participation of those not meant to be part of active proceedings.” The provincial secretary emphasised the PEC’s commitment to finalising the 75 remaining interim structures before the end of the month, saying rebuilding efforts are non-nego tiable. “A functional ANC is measured through its active branches, and we will spare no effort in ensuring that every branch is revitalised, every region is convened, and every structure is accountable,” he said. Regional Conference Plans Hang in the Balance With a bruising contest looming in three of the party’s five regions ahead of elective conferences, provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng says no firm dates have been set, stressing that readiness will depend on full compliance with organisational rules. Following the arrival of a second audit report last week from Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, Motsoeneng confirmed that some regions now qualify to proceed. However, he cautioned against a growing tendency among members to bypass internal processes and rush to court when dissatis fied with outcomes. “We must be meticulous to ensure that every step complies with guidelines, constitutionality, validity and proper procedure,” he said. This comes despite a directive from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) that all re gional and provincial conferences be concluded by the end of last month to pave the way for council lor candidate selection ahead of elections. Journal News understands that the Provincial Ex ecutive Committee (PEC) plans to write to Mbalula requesting a waiver for regions deemed ready to proceed. Among them is the Mangaung region, which has reportedly reached the 70% threshold required to convene a conference on 10 April 2026 and elect new leadership. The region has been under a Re gional Task Team (RTT) since last year after the pre vious leadership’s term expired. Key regions Mangaung and Lejweleputswa were initially scheduled to hold conferences in Novem ber last year, but these were postponed due to unresolved organisational processes and internal disputes. Similar irregularities have resurfaced in Le jweleputswa, where some branches lodged fresh disputes last week. The Fezile Dabi region could also proceed before the end of April—pending approval of the waiver— as its leadership term nears expiry in May. Mean while, Thabo Mofutsanyana, the party’s largest region in the province by membership, along with Xhariep, are understood to still be operating within their mandates. Municipal leadership announcement Following last year’s dismissal of seven munic ipal troikas in the province, Motsoeneng said last week’s meeting has moved to finalise the matter, with new mayors set to be announced in the com ing days. “We have received a report from the interview panel, signed off by the Secretary-General. Can didates are currently engaging with Provincial Working Committee officials to finalise details and will meet affected members and their regions this week before the announcement of new leader ship,” he said. The PEC removed seven troikas — mayors, speakers and chief whips — citing poor perfor mance and undermining service delivery. The affected municipalities include Mafube, Mo qhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala and Masilonya na local municipalities, as well as the Lejweleputs wa District Municipality. Motsoeneng added that the PEC’s meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa last week at the Imvelo Safari Lodge placed service delivery at the centre of discussions under the theme: Fixing Local Gov ernment and Transforming the Economy. “The engagement was unequivocal: the quali ty of life of our people is determined at the local level. It is in municipalities where the promise of a better life must be realised,” he said. “We reflected on challenges highlighted in re cent PEC reports, including financial mismanage ment and corruption that have plagued some mu nicipalities, leading to interventions under Section 139 of the Constitution,” he added.