ONLY 103 branches of the ANC will choose or retain their leadership in the Mopani regional elective conference.

ONLY 103 branches of the ANC will choose or retain their leadership in the Mopani regional elective conference.

This follows the disqualification of five branches from the event that takes place between today and Sunday at Eiland Spa near Phalaborwa.

Party regional secretary Thabitha Mohlala said the region had a total of 118 branches but five of them had been barred from the conference after it was discovered they were not in good standing to take part in the conference.

Mohlala said the branches were expected to send at least two dele gates to the conference to make up 203 branches.

She said some branches with a huge membership would have more delegates.

The conference comes two days after ANC general-secretary Gwede Mantashe warned ANC delegates ahead of the local government elections to stop using the elections to enrich themselves.

Mantashe said some party members viewed their deployment to office as an opportunity to gain wealth.

Writing in the party's online publication he said some members viewed positions in government as a source of material riches for themselves.

Mantashe said that in most cases government resources, prestige and authority had became the driving force of competition for leadership positions in the ANC.

He said the private sector had also played a role in manipulating corrupt ANC cadres.