The disbandment of key ANC leadership structures in KwaZulu-Natal is necessary to ensure there is no repeat of the massive general election losses suffered by the party in the local government polls in two years’ time.
This is the view of an ANC national executive committee (NEC) member who spoke to “The Mercury” on condition of anonymity, following the expected arrival of the party’s national working committee (NWC) in KZN to assess the state of the party.
The NEC member said factionalism, divisions and infighting in the ANC in KZN had cost many people their jobs, adding that the NWC could recommend that the eThekwini regional executive committee (REC) be disbanded.
ANC members with close ties to the eThekwini REC said disbanding it would not be because of the election outcome, but efforts to position allies in key areas in preparation for the party’s elective conference expected in 2027.
However, the ANC said there are no plans to disband any structures.
The NEC member said, “I don’t even believe there is an REC at the moment in light of the troubles faced by some of its senior leaders.”
The member was referring to the fact that the chairperson of the region Zandile Gumede has had to step aside while the secretary of the region, Musa Nciki, has also faced legal challenges.
“The NWC is definitely coming, it’s not that they don’t know the extent of the problems in the province and region, they are just coming to have a discussion. Thereafter there will be a conversation about what to do with the structure.
“The performance of KZN cost us dearly, a lot of people lost their jobs.
The province is riddled with factions, the branches are in disarray, who was supposed to fix that? It’s the leaders.”
The source added that the ANC cannot afford to have such problems heading to the local government elections in two years’ time, adding that the party should have acted against the province even before the May elections.
“The party knew there were problems even before the elections, but we took too long to act ... The elections were not about national matters, they were about local government issues and the ANC paid a price because service delivery was in disarray.”
Another source with an understanding the KZN’s political dynamics said, “the national structure has long wanted to disband the province’s leadership, and the province has been wanting to disband the region.”
The source said the province had even taken over the powers of the region in recommending a candidate for mayor in eThekwini, adding that it was all part of the efforts to undermine the ANC in the region.
“They brought in their own candidate Cyril Xaba, and argued it was the region that asked that then mayor Mxolisi Kaunda be removed.
“We know it is Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal that are to be disbanded, because they did not perform in the election, the same accusation could be levelled at the national leadership. So if they disband the structures now, it will not be about accountability for the election outcomes but about realignment as we head to the next elective conference,” said the source.
Former eThekwini mayor and chairperson of the region Zandile Gumede refused to comment, saying she was still subjected to the step-aside rule.
Mlondi Mkhize, ANC spokesperson in the eThekwini region, said they are aware that the NWC is visiting the province. ANC provincial spokesperson Mafika Mndebele said the visit is part of ongoing organisational work to strengthen ANC structures. The ANC’s national office said a media advisory would be issued as soon as details of the NWC visit to the province are confirmed.
“At this point, as the secretary-general alluded to, there are no such plans (disbandment of the structures).”
The Mercury