THE FUSE

By Anita Dangazele

ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay meets from 14 to 16 November after four cancellations, with Mayor Babalwa Lobishe running against former secretary Luyolo Nqakula.

Step aside rule may stop Luyolo Nqakula from contesting as he faces charges linked to an alleged 2018 bribery plot involving former DA councillors.

The ANC in the Nelson Mandela Bay region will finally hold its regional elective conference this weekend after cancelling it four times this year.

The conference will take place at Nelson Mandela University’s Gold Fields Auditorium from Friday, 14 November until Sunday, 16 November.

Mayor Babalwa Lobishe is seeking a second term. Her challenger is former regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula.

ANC regional task team co-ordinator Siphiwo Tshaka said all disputes had been resolved and the region had met the 70% threshold of qualified branches needed to proceed.

Tshaka said 198 delegates were expected at the conference. He was appointed co-ordinator after the regional executive committee’s term expired in December 2024. A regional task team led by Lobishe was appointed in January to prepare for the conference, but the process has been delayed for six months.

“I think there is excitement that the conference is finally going ahead,” he said.

He said conferences often bring divisions, and the party needed unity heading into the 2026 local government elections.

But Nqakula may not be allowed to contest because of the ANC’s step aside rule.

He stepped aside in 2022 after being charged in connection with the alleged bribery of former DA councillors to remove Athol Trollip as mayor in 2018.

Nqakula brought a Section 174 application to dismiss the charges, but the case has dragged on. The state is expected to make closing arguments on 27 November.

New ANC provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina said the step aside rule applies to all members facing criminal charges and would affect any nomination Nqakula received.

If Nqakula cannot stand, it is understood his faction may support ANC chief whip Wandisile Jikeka.

Pictured above: ANC Nelson Mandela Bay members.

Image source: Facebook