Hours ahead of the African National Congress (ANC) Ekurhuleni regional conference, disgruntled members complained about irregularities and the exclusion of several branches from participation. 

After weeks of delays due to disputes, the region will begin its conference on Friday night. 

ANC conferences held in recent months have been marred by complaints about membership manipulation and allegations about the exclusion of particular branches.  

The Ekurhuleni conference has not been spared the political drama. 

The conference will see the current chairperson of the region Mzwandile Masina run for a third term as leader. He is set to go up against Doctor Xhakaza, the region's treasurer.

For weeks, those supporting Xhakaza complained about the unfair exclusion of five to 10 branches from participation. 

The conference was set to take place two weeks ago, but was postponed due to disputes. 

On Friday afternoon, those supporting Xhakaza took their fight to the delegate registration centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. 

They threw chairs and various objects at the doors of the Boksburg Civic Centre, where qualifying delegates were being registered.