The ANC in the Eastern Cape has suffered another legal setback. The Makhanda High Court dismissed the party’s applications for leave to appeal in its leadership dispute this week.
The judgment confirmed an earlier ruling that declared the ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Task Team (PTT) unlawful and invalid. As a result, the task team cannot continue acting as the party’s provincial leadership.
Court upholds earlier ruling
The ANC created the Provincial Task Team to oversee the organisation after disputes delayed the provincial elective conference’s. However, the court found that the task team was not legally constituted.
The judgment means the PTT cannot represent the Eastern Cape in ANC structures. In addition, the court ordered the ANC to pay legal costs.
Impact on the ANC Eastern Cape
The ruling has increased uncertainty around the ANC Eastern Cape leadership. The party must now decide whether to approach a higher court or begin a new process to establish lawful provincial leadership.
Furthermore, the judgment could affect preparations for the long-delayed provincial conference. It may also influence the ANC’s plans ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The ANC has not yet announced its next legal step. However, the latest court decision places further pressure on the party to resolve its leadership dispute in the Eastern Cape.
