KZN ANC members’ concerns on factionalism

CONCERNED ANC members in KwaZulu-Natal have called on newly elected party provincial secretary, Mdumiseni Ntuli, to diffuse factionalism in three regions if the party is to have a smooth and effective election campaign.

Moses Mabhida, Lower South Coast and Harry Gwala are the only three out of 11 ANC regions in the province led by regional task teams after the disbandment of their proper structures, following the elapse of their terms.

“If regions are forced to hold conferences while issues of gate-keeping in branches remain unresolved, the outcome would be factional leadership – unable to unite members for the general elections.

“While slate politics had been resolved nationally and provincially, nothing has been done in regions and branches,” said a party member. ANC provincial spokesperson Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu told The Mercury yesterday that the newly elected provincial executive committee (PEC) had, during its first meeting in Durban at the weekend, decided that the three regions should hold conferences to elect new leadership with immediate effect.

The weekend meeting, which was the first after the PEC elections, was to appoint nine members of the provincial working committee. However, pro-President Cyril Ramaphosa members in the regions said they would not participate in the conferences while issues remained unresolved.

They said the unity achieved during national and provincial conferences should be cascaded down to the regional and branch structures.

“If they want regional conferences to run smoothly, Mdumiseni should visit the regions to address dissatisfactions. There are members who are not happy, and might seek court interdicts, therefore this puts pressure on the provincial secretary to work harder on the ground,” said the ANC branch leader secretary in Harry Gwala region.

Simelane-Zulu said the Provincial Working Committee had yet to come up with dates for the three conferences, which should be held before August 31.