Boy Mamabolo Quits the ANC After 29 Years Citing Abuse, South Africans Say the Ship Is Sinking

• Former member of Parliament, Jacob Boy Mamabolo, has officially quit the African National Congress (ANC) after 29 years
• Mamabolo described his decision to quit as being difficult, but said he was tired of the abuse he faced by the party
• Citizens responded to Mamabolo's decision, with some noting the simultaneous resignation of Stan Mathabatha from his post

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG - Jacob Boy Mamabolo has caused a stir online by announcing that he was quitting the African National Congress after 29 years.

Mamabolo, a former member of Parliament, announced his decision in an email to the ANC’s Provincial Secretary in Limpopo, Reuben Madadzhe.

Mamabolo was elected to Parliament following the 2019 general election, but was removed after the 2024 general election.

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Why did Mamabolo quit the party?

In his email, Mamabolo stated that he could no longer endure what he called abuse from the party. He described leaving the party as a very difficult and emotional decision, but said there was internal sabotage and attempts to tarnish his reputation.

Mamabolo complained about the fact that he was ousted from Parliament and even claimed that there were efforts made to prevent him from starting a new political party.

The former member had his attempts to register the Mandela for President Party rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). He maintained that he would continue with his plans to have the party registered.

Mamabolo’s departure not only from the provincial structures in Limpopo, but the party as a whole, comes at the same time that Stanley Mathabatha submitted a letter indicating he wanted to step down as the party’s Chairperson in the province.

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Mathabatha cited misconduct and a lack of ANC values in the province as the reason for his decision.

South Africans weigh in on Mamabolo’s decision

Social media users shared their thoughts on Mamabolo’s decision, sharing mixed and often amusing reactions to it.

Patrick Williams stated:

“The rats are jumping. The ship is sinking.”

Vela Makhathini asked:

“Is he forming his party, Mandela what what?”

Pride Samson suggested:

“He might be joining the EFF.”

Lefu Fire-firoza Mokone Thekiso noted:

“After 121 dockets were returned to the KZN Political Killings Task Team, people are jumping out of the ANC sinking ship. Mathabatha and Mamabolo.”

N W Mjono Mjono stated:

“First it was former Limpopo Premier, Stanley Mathabatha, and now it’s Boy Mamabolo. Ja, the ship is sinking.”

Godshero Sipho noted:

“On the other hand, Mathabatha is also gone.”

Jacs Gono said:

“Whenever you see frogs escaping the pot, just know that it has reached the boiling point.”

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Nopopo Popla suggested:

“There's something that he is running away from.”

Otto Magadla stated:

“Tough times are getting closer. Those who claimed to love the ANC are jumping ship because they know they were in it to loot.”

Mamabolo demands R6 million from ANC

Briefly News reported that Mamabolo was demanding millions from the ANC after he was removed as a Member of Parliament.

Mamabolo took the ANC to court, demanding R6 million from the party for what he would have earned in five years as an MP.

South Africans shared their thoughts on the matter, doubting that he had a good chance of winning the case.

Source: Briefly News