Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse has accused African National Congress (ANC) leaders of 'mob gangsterism' amid a dispute over the party's regional conference. The accusation comes after tensions escalated during preparations for the ANC's Johannesburg regional conference, which has been marred by factionalism and allegations of intimidation.
Phalatse, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), made the remarks during a press conference on May 23, 2026, citing reports of ANC members being threatened and physically prevented from attending the conference. 'What we are seeing is not politics, it is mob gangsterism,' Phalatse said, according to local media reports.
The ANC has denied the allegations, with party spokesperson Pule Mabe stating that the conference is proceeding peacefully. 'We reject these baseless accusations. The ANC is a democratic organization that respects the rule of law,' Mabe said in a statement.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the ANC's Johannesburg region, which has been a battleground for rival factions ahead of the party's national elective conference scheduled for December 2026. Political analysts say the infighting could undermine the ANC's electoral prospects in the 2027 general elections.
