By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has decided to put the Eastern Cape elective conference on hold until all legal processes are concluded.
Delegates have started to arrive at the KuGompo International Convention Centre.
Earlier indications were that ANC was looking for the way forward regarding the elective conference expected to kick-off at despite a court ruling to halt it.
However Fullview learnt that the ANC has been granted leave to appeal and the matter will be heard at 14:00 on Friday, 27 March 2026.
By midday, it emerged the provincial leadership faced threats of a contempt of court application after proceedings with registration went ahead and again we understand the matter will be heard on Saturday, 28 March 2026 to deal with the contempt of court.
National executive committee (NEC) convenor Mmamoloko Kubayi provided feedback at a briefing after the meeting, where she communicated the party’s decision and way forward.
“We had to convene a PEC to inform them that headquarters and the secretary general has decided that he will put the conference on hold until matters before the courts are concluded.”
She said one of the instructions from the court was that the party conclude all disputes before moving ahead with the conference.
Kubayi said based on advice from their legal team, they have been granted leave to appeal, and the matter is expected to be heard on Friday afternoon.
The conference is set to be a high-stakes showdown for the provincial leadership.
Oscar Mabuyane is seeking a third term as chairperson, where he will face a challenge from his former ally, provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi. The latter is also facing accusations that he was aware of the all the outstanding issues and he has brought the party into disrepute.