The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape says it is fully prepared to proceed with its 10th Provincial Conference, dismissing the need for any postponement. This follows a special meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held on March 16, where members assessed the state of readiness ahead of the conference, set to take place at the East London International Convention Centre.
According to the PEC, preparations are at an advanced stage, with the majority of branches having successfully convened their Branch General Meetings (BGMs) to nominate delegates. A total of 554 branches met the deadline, although only 281 had been formally verified by early March, with the remainder still undergoing verification by the Secretary-General’s office. The committee has urged that the verification process be finalised urgently to allow for compliance with the party’s cooling-off period before the conference. No further extensions for BGMs will be granted, except in cases where reruns are ordered through dispute resolution processes.
While progress has been made, the PEC acknowledged on-going disputes. Of the 74 cases lodged with the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee, 64 have been resolved, with the remaining matters expected to be concluded soon. A small number of disputes have been escalated to national structures. The PEC also raised concern over internal challenges, including allegations that some branch and regional leaders deliberately obstructed meetings or withheld access tools required for participation. These actions were strongly condemned, with investigations expected and disciplinary action likely against those found responsible.
In addition, the committee criticised the growing use of courts by some members to challenge internal processes, describing it as an abuse aimed at undermining organisational democracy. Members were urged to exhaust internal mechanisms before seeking legal intervention. The PEC further condemned the circulation of a controversial video allegedly involving one of its members, calling on party members to respect privacy and refrain from conduct that damages the organisation’s integrity.
Concerns were also raised about social media conduct, with the PEC warning against the rise in insults and inflammatory language directed at party leaders. It reiterated that members must adhere to the ANC’s code of conduct, which promotes respectful and disciplined engagement. Despite these challenges, the PEC expressed confidence that the conference will proceed successfully and provide a platform to shape the party’s future direction in the province.
