Courts & Legal
Masuku wins as court dismisses ANC Joburg leadership challenge
Johannesburg’s political chessboard shifted again this week, this time inside a courtroom rather than a council chamber. The South Gauteng High Court has sided with Loyiso Masuku and her Regional Executive Committee, effectively reinforcing her leadership after months of tension within the ANC’s Johannesburg structures.
At the centre of it all was a challenge to the very conference that brought Masuku into power. For many watching closely, this was not just about procedure. It was about who truly holds influence in the city’s ruling party.
The challenge that didn’t stick
The case was brought by Stan Itshegetseng, a prominent figure in Johannesburg ANC circles, who argued that the conference that elected Masuku had been riddled with irregularities. His legal team approached the court urgently, seeking to block the Regional Executive Committee from exercising its authority while a broader review played out.
But the court was not convinced that urgency justified bypassing internal party processes.
Judge Wilhelmina du Plessis struck the matter from the roll, making it clear that while concerns about internal democracy may be valid, they must first be addressed within the ANC’s own structures.
In simple terms, the court said: follow the party’s rules before turning to the judiciary.
Internal battles spill into public view
This ruling lands in the middle of an already tense political landscape. Masuku’s camp has previously linked Itshegetseng to former Johannesburg ANC chairperson Dada Morero, a connection that has deepened factional lines.
There were even attempts to recall Morero as mayor earlier in the fallout, showing just how far the divisions have stretched.
For ordinary Joburg residents, these internal battles can feel distant, yet they often ripple into governance, service delivery, and leadership stability across the city.
What the judge said, and why it matters
In her judgment, du Plessis acknowledged that Itshegetseng’s concerns about internal democracy appeared genuine. However, she emphasised that membership in the ANC comes with an obligation to use its internal dispute resolution mechanisms first.
She also clarified that courts can intervene directly in certain cases, especially where internal remedies are ineffective or compromised. But based on the facts presented, this was not one of those situations.
The decision sends a strong message about process and discipline within political organisations, especially in a city where leadership disputes frequently make headlines.
What happens next
Itshegetseng has indicated that he is considering an appeal and will consult with his legal team on the way forward. He maintains that he did attempt to resolve the matter within ANC structures before approaching the court.
That means this chapter may not be the final word.
A bigger picture for Joburg politics
Beyond the legal arguments, this case highlights a familiar pattern in Johannesburg politics: internal ANC disputes playing out in public spaces, often with significant consequences for the city’s direction.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some see the ruling as a win for stability, while others argue it sidesteps deeper concerns about transparency within party processes.
For now, though, Masuku’s leadership stands on firmer ground.
And in a city that rarely sits still politically, that kind of clarity, even if temporary, carries weight.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
