WATCH: Some top ANC leaders barred from entering Mandela's house
Some top ANC leaders visiting Nelson Mandela's homestead in Qunu were barred from entering the premises.
Only party President Cyril Ramaphosa, his top six leaders and ANC Eastern Cape chairman Oscar Mabuyane were allowed into the palatial home located along the N2 near Mthatha.
Among those barred from joining the top leaders is ANC chief whip in parliament Jackson Mthembu, former Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet, King Sahara Dalindyebo mayor Dumani Zozo as well as former NEC and NWC member Fikile Xasa are some of the people who could enter the home.
Mthembu had to argue with security to allow them in. Some of the leaders were spotted by DispatchLIVE leaving the Mandela home without entering.
According to sources, the NEC members were kept in a separate room while Nelson Mandela grandson Nkosi Mandla Mandela had a meeting with Ramaphosa, Gwede Mantashe, Paul Mashatile, Ace Magashule, Jessie Duarte and ANC provincial chairman Oscar Mabuyane.
The visit to Mthatha on Thursday is part of the ANC's mass mobilization campaign, a build up to Saturday's 106th anniversary celebrations to be held at the Buffalo City stadium in East London on Saturday.
Security at the gate was heard saying "Only the top six are allowed to enter. The others must go to a community hall". Ramaphosa later addressed the community at the hall.
The leaders will then visit acting AbaThembu king Azenathi Dalindyebo.