Stan Mathabatha, former Premier of Limpopo and long-serving chairperson of the ANC in the province, has resigned from his position with immediate effect.

According to MSN News, Mathabatha submitted a letter dated 1 September 2025 to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, citing “concerning misconduct and lack of ANC values… particularly in relation to the processes towards and conduct within the conferences of the Vhembe and Waterberg regions.”

In his letter, Mathabatha said he could not “stand aloof to such unethical and un-ANC tendencies occurring under my leadership.” He explained that stepping aside was necessary to safeguard his personal integrity and the values of the organisation.

Scrutiny of Vhembe and Waterberg

The Vhembe and Waterberg regional conferences have been marred by allegations of political interference and vote-rigging. In Vhembe, several ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members reportedly raised concerns over irregularities. In response, the NEC dispatched a probe team led by NEC member Noxolo Kiviet to investigate the claims.

Critics allege that voting processes were manipulated to benefit Premier Phophi Ramathuba, who is widely expected to contest the provincial chairpersonship against John Mpe, the current regional chairperson of the Peter Mokaba region.

End of an Era

Mathabatha has been a dominant figure in Limpopo politics for more than a decade. He served as Premier from July 2013 until the 2024 general election, when he stepped down due to term limits. He also held the ANC provincial chairmanship from 2014, winning re-election in 2018 and again in 2022.

His decision to resign marks not only the end of an era but also a rare and public rebuke of conduct within the ANC’s Limpopo structures.

While Mathabatha indicated his willingness to engage further with ANC national officials and to speak to the media, he emphasised that resigning was the only way to allow the party to function without his involvement and to restore credibility.

His departure increases pressure on the NEC to deal decisively with the vote-rigging allegations. The presence of NEC members during the controversial regional conferences—meant to ensure proper conduct—will now itself come under closer scrutiny.