In a bid to quell rising tensions within the African National Congress (ANC), Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has emphasised that the recent meeting between the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Committee (KZN PEC) was not aimed at disbanding the provincial structure.
Instead, the focus was on understanding the underlying factors contributing to the ANC’s dismal electoral performance, which saw the party secure just 17% of the vote in the May general elections.
Addressing concerns from the KZN ANC members, Mbalula urged them to refrain from making public remarks about the future of the provincial leadership.
The meeting, held at the Birchwood Hotel on Monday, sparked speculation regarding possible disbandment discussions for KZN and Gauteng PEC structures, which Mbalula swiftly dismissed.
“This meeting was not called to disband or to announce a decision of intervention. It was to finalise our work,” he remarked, underscoring the intention behind the assembly.
The context surrounding the meeting became increasingly charged after remarks made by ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, who pointed fingers at both Mbalula and President Cyril Ramaphosa for the party’s electoral decline.
Mbalula refrained from labelling KZN leaders as “cry babies” in response to Mtolo’s comments, but he did indicate that shared accountability was vital for the party’s future.
During the meeting, KZN leaders presented a comprehensive report detailing how the party’s stronghold had suffered electoral losses.
Mbalula confirmed that the KZN management had been active in assessing the party’s position, and the matter would soon be deliberated in the upcoming NWC meeting, before any proposals are submitted to the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The Star
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