Cracks in Zuma, Magashule camp

NIEHAUS: SUSPENDED BY ANC FOR HIS UTTERANCES

Duarte criticising him, showing she was drifting away from faction.

Two political analysts say u Mkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesman Carl Niehaus was being ditched by the Jacob Zuma/Ace Magashule camp because he has become a costly liability to them.

They also said the action against Niehaus signalled the cracks within the faction as political fortunes for party secretary-general Magashule and former president Zuma began to dissipate.

ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte was busy repositioning herself against the faction and making her voice heard that she is no longer with them.

North West University’s political analyst Prof Andre Duvenhage and his Unisa counterpart Prof Dirk Kotze concurred that there was feud within the camp. Duvenhage said it was a surprise that such action was taken against Niehaus and for Magashule to distance himself from his utterances.

“It seems as if there is a fight in the inner circle of the Magashule/ Zuma circle. It seems to me there is lot of pressure on the Magashule camp at this point in time and without doubt the Cyril Ramaphosa strategy is starting to work,” Duvenhage said.

He said there appeared to be trouble in the camp and it’s going to play out negatively for Niehaus.

“I think in a way Niehaus is becoming a liability for the camp.

He played out his role. I think the sentiment is playing out against him, his strategy and most probably his approach. It is costing them more,” he said.

Kotze said it was not surprising that Duarte had begun to criticise Niehaus, which showed she was drifting away from the Zuma faction.

He said Duarte began making her stance clear and more is yet to come.

“It looks like Duarte is reconsidering her position within the Magashule group and moving towards the Ramaphosa side. This is part of the political dynamics currently under way within the ANC as its elective conference looms in 2022,” he said.

The ANC yesterday served Niehaus with a suspension letter asking him to state why he shouldn’t be suspended.

It seems there’s a fight in their circles