OPINION | ANC leaders battling behind closed doors for the party’s survival and future course

The controversial appointment of politically connected figures to a strategic Provincial Task Team (PTT) in the Eastern Cape Province has caused the ANC’s deepening factional battles to erupt once more.

According to insiders, this move indicates the growing dominance of the faction aligned with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula ahead of the November local government elections and the impending ANC presidency showdown.

What started out as a routine administrative appointment after the contested conference that never took place due to legal challenges, has quickly turned into a heated political dispute within the party, revealing growing divisions within the ANC’s national leadership and escalating charges of internal purges, patronage politics, and factional capture.

According to some senior ANC insiders, the decision was made in spite of opposition from a number of party members. Critics contend that factional consolidation has once again been prioritised over capable leadership and organisational regeneration.

Many party members now see the appointment as a planned political payout intended to increase Mbalula’s power ahead of the ANC’s upcoming election conference.

And according to sources Lulama Ngcukayitobi, who was provincial ANC secretary in the structure that has been dissolved, has been effectively sidelined and politically isolated as a result of differences over the nomination process, making him the biggest casualty of the most recent internal conflict. They say he made an internal attempt to contest the decision but higher-ranking political forces determined to maintain control of the strategic position ultimately overruled him.

Some members of the ANC have bemoaned what seems to be a clear: “You are excluded from decision-making procedures if you do not support the ruling faction”.

Governance and service delivery are no longer relevant. It has to do with power location. The incident comes at a horrible moment for the ANC, which is already dealing with dwindling public confidence, election defeats, coalition instability, and rising voter dissatisfaction over poor local governance, infrastructure collapse, unemployment, and corruption.

As the ANC prepares for the November local government elections under increasing pressure from opposition parties and disgruntled supporters, many political commentators caution that the most recent factional drama might turn into electoral suicide for the party.

Story audio is generated using AI As the national ANC officially inaugurated the party’s Eastern Cape provincial task team (PTT) at the City Hall in KuGompo City late on Thursday, fresh warnings of legal action against the troubled party again emerged. Unsurprisingly such warnings are again coming from disgruntled party members who had previously warned and went on to successfully interdict the party’s provincial elective conference, over alleged branch meeting irregularities, ahead of the aborted March conference. This time the three disgruntled party members threatened to go to court as soon as next Tuesday if party bosses do not reverse their decision to appoint a now 40-member interim structure, which was officially announced late on Thursday. This was a day after a letter from ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula to the province, containing the list of all those appointed, started circulating and was publicised early on Wednesday. Initially Mbalula’s correspondence contained 39 names, with that of social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta missing. It was later amended and she made the list, taking the total number of PTT members to 40. The provincial ANC structure was dissolved by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) last week after its four-year term lapsed earlier this month. On Thursday outgoing provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane was officially unveiled as the PTT’s convener, and former provincial deputy secretary Helen Sauls-August was announced as provincial co-ordinator. PTT ‘illegal and unconstitutional’: attorneys While hundreds of jovial party members from across the province had gathered in song at the city hall, patiently waiting for an address by Mbalula, and to witness the official unveiling of the PTT, a letter from lawyers representing the disgruntled three members emerged. Addressed to Mbalula, the letter instructed Luthuli House to reverse its move to appoint an interim structure in the province, or face prospects of having to defend such party decisions in court. The “threatening” letter from Sinawo Makangela of Makangela Mtungani Inc, attorneys representing Lwazi Rotya, Sinethemba Mpande and Nompumelelo Mzothwa, stated the three will have no option but to go back to court if the decision to appoint this PTT is not reversed. “As you are aware, our clients were the applicants in the matter in which the Eastern Cape provincial conference was interdicted,” states the letter. “Pursuant to that application, two further applications in which our clients remain the applicants are being pursued, being the application for contempt of court against Mr Fikile Mbalula, Ms Mammoloko Kubayi and Mr Oscar Mabuyane, and the application to compel the production of further documentation for the hearing of the final relief application. The PEC may not be dissolved without reason and without a fair and lawful process being followed. We are not aware of any reason for a dissolution or any procedure followed before any dissolution decision could be taken “Both applications remain uncompleted because of the failure of the respondents to file their answering affidavits, except for Ms Kubayi, in the contempt of court application. “While your clients remain in default of their obligations in the litigation, it is apparent to our clients that they have continued to disregard the law in other important respects that infringe our clients’ rights under section 19 of the Constitution and the constitution of the ANC. “It has come to our clients’ attention that a document purporting to have been written by the secretary-general has been widely shared and reported in the media containing names of persons alleged to have been appointed into the ‘provincial task team’ of the ANC in the Eastern Cape.” Their gripe, they wrote, was that “no decision has been communicated, to our clients’ knowledge, to any of the members of the existing provincial executive committee (PEC) that a decision has been taken to dissolve the structure or to appoint an interim structure under the aegis of the so-called PTT.” The trio asked Mbalula to confirm by no later than Friday if the PTT has been appointed, and whether such was the party’s NEC decision. They argued it was “illegal and unconstitutional for anyone to appoint a PTT without dissolving the PEC”. “The PEC may not be dissolved without reason and without a fair and lawful process being followed. We are not aware of any reason for a dissolution or any procedure followed before any dissolution decision could be taken. “The mere fact that the PEC’s term of office has lapsed does not mean that it must be dissolved. As a matter of law, it is entitled to remain in office until the election of a new PEC, unless lawfully dissolved, after a fair and proper process has been followed. “The NEC has the final say in both the decision to dissolve a PEC and the appointment of a PTT, including the identification of the persons to constitute the structure, but we are not aware that any decisions were taken by the NEC regarding these matters.” The ANC was ordered to reverse its decision to appoint the PTT before 5pm next Tuesday or face court action. “Each individual member of the PTT will be cited and cost orders will be sought against anyone opposing the application. “Our clients do not wish to litigate against their own organisation unnecessarily. But they are compelled to bring the application because it is plain to them Mr Mbalula’s brazen and reckless attacks to the constitution of the country, the constitution of the ANC and the values of the ANC cannot be contained through internal mechanisms, but only through the legal system.” The trio said any final decision to bring an application to court, would be caused by the ANC’s own failure to respect its constitution and the rights of the members”. “We trust the intended legal action can be avoided, but we make it clear that our clients will approach a court of law if their concerns are dismissed and ridiculed, as it has become customary for Mr Mbalula to do.” Makangela could not be contacted late on Thursday. No disunity in the province: Mbalula Speaking to the media, Mbalula poured cold water on the legal action threats, saying the party was within its rights to dissolve the provincial executive and to replace it with a task team. He said he had seen Makangela’s letter and the party was applying its mind to it. The appointment of the task team was an “operational mandate” from the party’s NEC, he said. “Most of these comrades in the PTT come from the old PEC and have led this province towards a provincial conference and beyond. We did not broaden the scope other than to focus on the people who had been leading the province for quite some time,” Mbalula said. Everything we have done in relation to the processes we have followed are permissible in terms of the ANC constitution “We are delighted such work has been delivered. It’s all hands on deck. They have a clear task they will have to perform to consolidate the work of the organisation and prepare our structures.” Asked about the latest court threat, Mbalula said: “I’ve seen that letter so we will deal with it as it comes. We will have to deal with it in the context of the law. We are capable of defending ourselves, and that is what we will do. “Things that are brought to court for one reason or another, we are there to defend ourselves. There is no court that has ruled against the ANC in terms of its processes. What the court had ordered the ANC to do, the ANC has looked into that, and the legal advice we got, we will settle the matters in court. “It is very clear to us, and we know where all this is coming from. It is something we are dealing with and are seized with. Everything we have done in relation to the processes we have followed are permissible in terms of the ANC constitution.” The party’s planned March conference was marred by a marathon court process leading to it being interdicted and later aborted and placed in “abeyance” on the third day of its schedule, and while thousands of delegates were around the conference venue. Mbalula said the conference was “stopped legally because the writing was on the wall”. “There is no such thing as disunity or divisions in this province. Structures here are united. There is no problem of disunity in the Eastern Cape. It is being manufactured. We do not have a crisis in this province.” He later said he did not want to comment any further about matters before court. Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone Daily Dispatch

The ANC is once again preoccupied with internal strife, leadership disputes, and factional score settling rather than putting on a cohesive front aimed at rebuilding unity, cohesion and regaining public trust.

One independent political observer noted that “voters are tired of this exact kind of politics.”

Water shedding, failing municipalities, water shortages due to aging infrastructure, collapsing roads, crime, and unemployment are all issues that South Africans must cope with. However, ANC leaders seem to be more concerned with succession disputes and factional nominations than with governance.

Mbalula is increasingly seen as a major candidate or kingmaker in the ANC presidential contest, and the aftermath from the appointment of the PTT has also heightened discussion about the ANC’s next leadership contest.

Internal conflicts about succession planning, policy direction, and the distribution of power within the ANC’s senior structures have been increasing while President Cyril Ramaphosa continues to hold public control of the party and fights for his political survival in the wake of the Phala Phala scandal.

Prior to the upcoming national conference, it is already thought that a number of rival groups are discreetly rallying support, with strategic appointments turning into vital instruments for bolstering regional and provincial power.

As a result, the PTT appointment is seen as much more than a standard staffing choice for Mbalula’s strategic benefits. It is viewed in ANC quarters as a front in a larger struggle over who will take over as leader of the party after Ramaphosa’s tenure is over.

Opponents within the ANC worry that the party is making the same mistakes that have hurt its credibility with people and diminished its political strength in the past.

One ANC veteran stated once stated: “There is a dangerous obsession with factional loyalty.” People are rewarded because they fit into particular factions rather than because they are competent.

Some regional leaders, who feel that local mechanisms were circumvented during the process, have been especially enraged. Tensions have been heightened by claims of political meddling and top-down manipulation, and some members have warned that internal conflicts could escalate into open revolt during the candidate selection procedures before to the local government elections.

Following historic defeats in recent elections, where the party’s support fell precipitously in a number of provinces and large metropolitan areas, the ANC’s electoral apparatus is already under stress.

The ANC Youth League in the Eastern Cape wants its newly elected provincial chair, Lihle Chalo, deployed to the provincial legislature and elevated to an MEC position, saying young people also deserve a seat in provincial government leadership. Provincial government posts are not the only ones in the ANCYL’s crosshairs. The league is also eyeing positions in provincial municipalities for the youth of the province. This was announced on Sunday by the league’s provincial secretary, Zuko Lugalo, shortly after the league concluded its first three-day provincial executive committee lekgotla in Chintsa, outside KuGompo City, at the weekend. The lekgotla, Lugalo said, aimed to reflect on the political, economic and social conditions confronting the people of the Eastern Cape, particularly the youth. He said the lekgotla served as both a governance engagement platform and an organisational strategic workshop aimed at assessing government performance, strengthening the youth development agenda, consolidating organisational machinery, and preparing for the November 4 local government elections. “The lekgotla further focused on realigning the strategic priorities of the ANCYL towards addressing the immediate struggles facing young people. “Central to this process is ensuring the inclusion of young people in key decision-making spaces and corridors of power, as decisions cannot be made for us, without us,” Lugalo said. The lekgotla also emphasised the importance of political renewal, generational mix and meaningful youth participation in governance. “As the PEC of the Eastern Cape, the organisation is demanding practical and meaningful youth representation in positions of governance and decision-making. “Furthermore, ahead of the 2026 local government elections, the organisation demands a minimum of 30% youth representation in PR (proportional representation) councillor lists across municipalities in the province. “The ANCYL also calls for the meaningful deployment of young people into strategic leadership positions, including troika leadership collectives, members of the mayoral committee (MMCs), portfolio head positions, and ward councillor positions. “We are saying young people must contest ward councillor positions across all wards and must not merely serve as foot soldiers during elections, but must be entrusted with leadership responsibilities that influence policy direction, governance and service delivery,” Lugalo said. The first day of the lekgotla, Lugalo said, focused on assessing government programmes and interventions addressing the key challenges facing young people in the province. “Through engagements with MECs and government leadership, the ANCYL received progress reports on youth-related programmes and interventions. “The lekgotla critically assessed the effectiveness of these programmes in confronting unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime and limited economic opportunities facing the youth constituency,” he said. The scourge of youth unemployment, Lugalo said, was identified by those attending the lekgotla as “one of the greatest crises affecting young people in the Eastern Cape”. “The organisation therefore resolved to intensify the struggle against extremely high levels of youth unemployment by challenging both the public and private sectors to expand economic opportunities, create sustainable jobs, invest in youth development programmes, and prioritise young people in procurement, training and employment opportunities. “The ANCYL further calls for greater accountability from all institutions benefiting from public resources to contribute meaningfully towards local economic development and youth empowerment. “The organisation remains committed to advancing meaningful economic participation for young people through entrepreneurship support, access to skills development, procurement opportunities and inclusion in the mainstream economy,” Lugalo said. League members in attendance, Lugalo said, also expressed serious concern over poor governance, maladministration and corruption within institutions of the provincial government. “The ANCYL reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption and demanding ethical, accountable and capable leadership across all sectors of society. “Public resources must serve communities and not personal interests. “The organisation will continue to advocate for consequence management against corruption and inefficiency that undermine service delivery and public confidence,” Lugalo said. Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone Daily Dispatch

Analysts caution that if infighting persists, voter confidence may be further damaged and more traditional ANC supporters may turn to alternative parties or abstain from politics.

The image of a party mired in this PTT is a never ending internal strife that might be strengthened by the optics of another politically fraught nomination, especially considering the deteriorating economic conditions and rising outrage over corruption.

The most recent incident is likely to increase scepticisms among many common South Africans regarding the ANC’s ability to properly govern or reform itself. The stakes for the ANC are extremely high as the November local government elections draw near.

There is a real chance that the party will lose more municipalities especially in the metros, see significant drops in voting turnout among its core supporters, and usher in more unstable coalition politics nationwide.

In the meantime, it is anticipated that the internal ANC presidential contest will only get more intense in the upcoming months, with factions vying for organisational control, strategic positions, and provincial support.

Therefore, rather than being just another appointment dispute, the PTT saga may be recognised as an insightful look into the succession politics currently engulfing Africa’s oldest liberation movement.

ANC leaders are battling behind closed doors not just for posts but also for the party’s survival and future course. It is unclear if the ANC will be able to manage the escalating consequences of its internal conflicts before voters cast their ballots.

Dr Xolisile Ngumbela, assistant dean, teaching and learning, faculty of management sciences, Central University of Technology