ANC explains why it left its building as allegations of bankruptcy and ghosts swirl

The ANC Norman Mashabane regional offices in Tzaneen. Picture: Alex Japho Matlala The ANC in Limpopo’s Norman Mashabane Region has refuted allegations that it has abandoned its building in Tzaneen because it has run out of money. Norman Mashabane is the biggest ANC region in the province with 129 branches.

It is followed by Vhembe with 127, Sekhukhune with 118, Peter Mokaba with 111 and 84 in Waterberg. The allegations of bankruptcy come after the party abandoned its plush offices on 3rd Avenue Arbor Park in Tzaneen last year. The party is now renting a small office at 2nd Avenue, a short walk from its previous building.

There are claims that the three-storey building is currently gathering dust because the party couldn’t afford to maintain it. The offices were built by the then ANC regional leadership, led by the former chairperson Leswafo Joshua Matlou. They were built in 2010 and opened for use in 2012.

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Former Norman Mashabane regional secretary, Bricks Manzini, known by some as “Mr Come Tomorrow”, said the offices were built through fundraising and donations. Others in the region alleged the ANC has abandoned the building because it has defects. A former security guard who worked at the building even suggested the building is haunted by ghosts.

“This building is huge. Some offices are empty, without any furniture. You can spend the whole month without entering some of the offices.

In some rooms, there are frightening sounds, especially on the third floor. This happens especially in the afternoon or around close of business. But when you go in to check, you find nothing. That is why the ANC resolved to abandon the building,” said the former guard, who asked for his name to be withheld.

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