The High Court in Pietermaritzburg has ruled that the results of the KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress's (ANC's) 8th provincial elective conference in November 2015 were unlawful.

The high-profile case has seen thousands turn up to support warring ANC factions in the province.

It was brought by ANC councillor Lawrence Dube and four others in May 2016 following results which saw former premier Senzo Mchunu being ousted as provincial chairperson and being replaced by Sihle Zikalala.

They claim the conference was not only held prematurely, but that it was riddled with irregularities and the results were rigged.

Zikalala received 780 votes, while Mchunu got 675 votes, in a process where 1 459 delegates voted.

Zikalala, his deputy Willies Mchunu, the ANC itself, the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, and other top ANC figures are the respondents in the matter.