ANC Faces Scrutiny Over Use of State Resources for Party Meeting

Natalie Nyathi

The African National Congress (ANC) is under fire after holding a recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the Germiston Civic Centre, a government-owned facility. Opposition parties, particularly the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), are accusing the ANC of abusing state resources for its own political purposes.

The ANC’s NEC meeting, a key gathering for the ruling party, took place from August 1st to 4th, 2025. While the meeting addressed important issues such as the economy and the future of the ANC’s alliance with the South African Communist Party, the location of the event has become a major point of contention.

According to reports, the ANC initially planned to hold the meeting at the Lakewood Conference Centre in Ormonde. However, due to complaints about inadequate heating, the venue was changed to the Germiston Civic Centre. The ANC usually holds its NEC meetings at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, but this was not possible this time due to financial difficulties. Sources say the party has outstanding payments to the venue.

The EFF in Gauteng has strongly condemned the ANC’s decision. EFF spokesperson Dumisani Baleni stated that councillors were denied access to the building due to “security concerns.” Baleni described the situation as a “brazen abuse of municipal infrastructure,” accusing the ANC of blurring the lines between the state and the party. He added that it is an “insult to the people of Gauteng” that the ANC, facing financial problems, is using public facilities for its internal meetings. The EFF is demanding that the City of Ekurhuleni explain why this was allowed and that the ANC reimburse all costs associated with using the Germiston Civic Centre.

The ANC has been facing financial challenges in recent times. In early August 2025, reports emerged that the party was struggling to pay staff salaries and that it had to move its NEC meeting because it could not afford its usual venue. These financial woes have raised questions about the ANC’s management and its reliance on state resources.

The ANC has not yet issued a detailed response to the EFF’s accusations.