Our mandate
What the caucus is and what it does
A caucus is the organised grouping of a political party's elected representatives within a legislature. The ANC Free State Caucus comprises all ANC Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the Free State — currently 18 members — who coordinate the party's legislative programme, hold the provincial executive to account, and participate in committee work across all 12 provincial departments.
The caucus operates under the authority of the ANC Constitution, the rules of the Free State Provincial Legislature, and the broader policy framework of the African National Congress. It is led by a Chief Whip, supported by a Caucus Chairperson and a deputy structure.
ANC Constitution — Rule 5.4 · Caucuses
"Members of the ANC elected to any legislative body shall form a caucus in such body. The caucus shall function under the guidance and direction of the appropriate structure of the ANC and shall be responsible for the implementation of ANC policy and decisions in that legislative body."
Source: ANC Constitution (as amended), Rule 5.4 — Caucuses
In practice, this means our caucus takes its policy direction from the ANC National Executive Committee and the Free State Provincial Executive Committee, translates that direction into legislative action, and reports back through the party structures on outcomes and challenges.
Leadership structure
How the caucus is led
Day-to-day coordination of the caucus is managed by the Chief Whip, who is elected by the caucus and recognised by the Free State Legislature as the ANC's designated whip. The Chief Whip is supported by a Deputy Chief Whip and a Whip, who together manage the caucus's legislative programme, committee deployments, and member attendance.
OK
Cde Oupa Khoabane
Chief Whip
Leads the ANC caucus in the Free State Legislature, coordinates the legislative programme, manages party discipline in the House, and represents the caucus in the Whippery. PCO: Thabong, Lejweleputswa.
NG
Cde Nthabiseng Garekoe
Deputy Chief Whip
Supports the Chief Whip in managing the legislative calendar and committee deployments, and deputises in all caucus and House responsibilities. PCO: Bethulie, Xhariep.
ZS
Cde Zama Sigwebela
Whip
Assists with caucus coordination, member attendance, and committee deployments, ensuring the legislative programme runs effectively in the House. PCO: Bultfontein, Lejweleputswa.
Explainer
How the Free State Legislature works
South Africa has nine provincial legislatures, one for each province. The Free State Provincial Legislature sits in Bloemfontein and exercises the legislative authority of the province. It passes provincial legislation, scrutinises the provincial budget, and holds the provincial executive — led by the Premier and MECs — to account.
1
Bills are introduced
Legislation may be introduced by an MEC (executive bill), an MPL (member's bill), or a committee. Once introduced, a bill is assigned to the relevant portfolio committee for deliberation.
2
Committees deliberate and invite public comment
Portfolio committees hold public hearings, receive written submissions, and may call MECs and department officials to account. The ANC caucus coordinates its positions across all committee deployments to ensure policy consistency.
3
Plenary debates and votes
After committee deliberation, bills proceed to a full plenary sitting of the legislature where MPLs debate and vote. The caucus's Chief Whip ensures members are present and aligned on the ANC's position before any vote.
4
Oversight and accountability
Beyond legislation, the caucus conducts oversight through questions to MECs, budget scrutiny, site visits to service delivery projects, and review of Auditor-General reports across all 12 provincial departments.
5
Constituency work and public participation
Each MPL maintains constituency offices across the five Free State districts — Mangaung Metro, Lejweleputswa, Fezile Dabi, Thabo Mofutsanyane, and Xhariep — to engage directly with residents and channel community concerns into the legislature.
Our commitments
What guides our work
Transparency
We publish our legislative work, committee activity, oversight findings, and voting positions so that every resident of the Free State can hold us to account.
Participation
Public hearings, constituency offices, and open committee processes ensure that the people of the Free State are active participants in the laws that govern their lives.
Accountability
We hold the provincial executive accountable through rigorous oversight — tracking MEC commitments, scrutinising audit outcomes, and publishing our findings.
Non-racialism & non-sexism
Rooted in the Freedom Charter and the ANC's founding principles, the caucus upholds the right of all people of the Free State to an equal share in the province's prosperity and governance.
