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HomeNational NewsANC’s Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial structures directed to suspend all party activities

ANC’s Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial structures directed to suspend all party activities

The ANC’s Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial structures have been directed to suspend all party activities, including rallies, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) moves to implement structural changes. The proposed “reconfiguration” may lead to leadership reshuffles, with some officials potentially losing their positions.

The final decision on the restructuring process will be made within a week, after which members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will be deployed to communicate and implement the changes.

This decision comes in response to the ANC’s poor performance in the 29 May 2024 general elections. KwaZulu-Natal, the party’s largest province by membership, suffered significant losses due to the rise of the uMkhonto Wesizwe party, with its vote share plummeting from 54.22% in 2019 to 16.99% in 2024. Gauteng, the most populous province with approximately 17 million residents, also saw a decline, with ANC support dropping from 50.02% to 34.8%.

At a media briefing on Monday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula confirmed the decision following a two-day NEC meeting in Boksburg. He dismissed any possibility of the provinces appealing the move.

Before the meeting, the NEC considered three options: disbanding the structures, reinforcing them, or maintaining the status quo. Ultimately, the latter was ruled out in favor of restructuring.

National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri reinforced this stance on Sunday, 19 January, stating that leaving the structures unchanged was not an option. She emphasized the need to address serious organizational, political, and service delivery shortcomings.

Although reports suggested division within the NEC regarding the restructuring, Mbalula downplayed this, characterizing the discussions as “robust” and acknowledging only minor differences of opinion.

“Reconfiguration is necessary,” Mbalula said. “The key terms being discussed are dissolution and reinforcement, but ultimately, it is about uniting the organization.”

Despite the restructuring of the Provincial Executive Committees (PECs), Mbalula assured that government structures would remain unaffected. This means Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and his deputy, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will retain their positions, as will KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma and Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.

However, concerns have emerged regarding the motivations behind the move. A senior Gauteng leader, speaking anonymously, accused Mbalula of attempting to sideline Lesufi due to the province’s support for Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s potential bid to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa. In October, Mbalula had attempted to discipline Lesufi over criticisms of the Government of National Unity, though he later backtracked.

Mbalula’s ambitions have also faced resistance in KwaZulu-Natal, where his alleged aspirations for the ANC presidency have drawn skepticism. Responding to speculation, Mbalula stated, “I have never declared any interest in the ANC presidency. I am not power-hungry or power-drunk.”

Some critics believe Mbalula’s push for reconfiguration is aimed at weakening provincial leadership structures ahead of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference, which will mark the end of Ramaphosa’s tenure due to the party’s two-term limit.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, once dominant, has been significantly weakened, now holding only 14 out of 80 seats in the provincial legislature. This has relegated the party to a junior partner in the Government of Provincial Unity, led by IFP Premier Thami Ntuli, which includes the ANC, DA, and National Freedom Party.

KZN ANC Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo has questioned the rationale for the reconfiguration, arguing that if electoral decline is the reason, then the NEC itself should also be held accountable, as the ANC’s national support has dropped to 40%.

With the reconfiguration plans set to unfold in the coming days, the ANC faces a delicate balancing act in addressing internal fractures while maintaining stability within government structures.

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