Conny Ramothwala has been officially confirmed for the second time as the African National Congress (ANC) candidate for Ward 10 ahead of the upcoming local government elections on November 4.
In a decisive political victory, Conny Ramothwala has been officially confirmed for the second time as the African National Congress (ANC) candidate for Ward 10 ahead of the upcoming local government elections on November 4.
The ruling by the Provincial List Committee (PLC) brings an end to a long, bitter internal battle for the Mokwape Edwin branch in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. As the final arbiter in internal ANC dispute resolution structures, the PLC ruling effectively shuts the door on the perennial disputants who sought to block her nomination.
While the losing faction continues to vent its frustration by threatening to petition the ANC national headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, supporters of Ramothwala have mocked the group’s relentless appeals. Detractors of the serial disputants remarked that, at this rate, the losing group will not stop at Luthuli House and will likely end up at the International Court of Justice in The Hague seeking recourse.
An Easy Passage Through Internal Structures
The confirmation by the PLC marks the second victory for Ramothwala within the party’s legal framework.
Her first major hurdle was cleared at the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee (PDRC). During those proceedings, the opposing grouping chose to stay away from the hearing entirely. Their absence handed Ramothwala an easy passage through the provincial resolution process, as the PDRC formally upheld her nomination and declared the attempt to rerun community selection processes invalid.
When the dissatisfied faction attempted to push their complaints further to the Provincial List Committee, the higher body reviewed the procedural history and dismissed the challenge. Because the PLC operates as the final internal authority on candidate lists, its verdict provides binding closure under ANC guidelines and officially locks in Ramothwala’s candidacy.
Branch Chairperson Calls for Unity
Speaking immediately after the release of the PLC ruling, Molebatsi Masedi, the branch chairperson of the ANC Ward 10 Mokwape Edwin branch, welcomed the decision and called on all members to respect the party structures.
Masedi stated that the final ruling by the PLC should put complete closure on the candidate selection process. He urged activists across the ward to stop internal squabbling and turn their full energy toward the upcoming elections.
“All hands on deck,” Masedi said in his parting message, calling for maximum unity among members as the party enters full campaign mode for November 4.
Branch leaders emphasized that prolonged infighting only serves opposition parties. They urged former rivals to put aside their differences, accept the finality of the PLC ruling, and focus on securing a strong mandate for the ANC in Ward 10.
Losing Group Threatens Luthuli House
Despite the clear legal barrier established by the PLC, members of the losing faction remain defiant. Unwilling to accept the outcome, representatives of the group threatened to bypass provincial structures and march their grievances straight to Luthuli House.
However, mainstream branch members have dismissed these threats as political theatre. They pointed out that internal ANC candidate guidelines place the final determination of list disputes in the hands of the provincial and national list structures. With the PLC having delivered its clear verdict, any further petitions are seen as a futile attempt to stall an already completed process.
All Eyes on November 4
With her candidacy officially secured through both the PDRC and the PLC, Conny Ramothwala now turns her focus directly to the voters of Ward 10.
As the November 4 election date approaches, the Mokwape Edwin branch is moving forward with door-to-door campaigning. Ramothwala’s supporters believe her official confirmation brings the stability needed to run a disciplined, winning campaign that will deliver quality municipal services to the community.