‘ANC buying time’

File photo: Masi Losi

File photo: Masi Losi

Published Feb 14, 2016

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Johannesburg - The local government election will now take place in August - three months later than expected - which analysts believe will allow the ANC time to get its house in order, especially in eThekwini, the party’s biggest region.

The region has been beset by infighting over its chairmanship, with Zandile Gumede eventually taking the reins after a protracted political battle with Durban mayor James Nxumalo.

The fight saw the regional conference make five attempts to elect a leader and, on several occasions, meetings ended in chaos.

In his State of the Nation address on Thursday night, President Jacob Zuma said the election would be held three months after May 18, the date of the previous election in 2011.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza confirmed this, but said consultations on the exact day were still under way.

Independent analyst Protas Madlala said the ANC was “buying time” to deal with the internal bickering.

“We all know the crisis confronting the ANC now. Maybe having elections late in the year will give them time to resolve their issues, especially in eThekwini region, as the party is split into two factions,” he said.

The infighting was the aftermath of the Polokwane elective conference, which saw Zuma oust former president Thabo Mbeki as president of the ANC.

“Since he took over there have been splits in the ANC,” Madlala said. Zuma has admitted that the local government election would be the ANC’s toughest yet.

Madlala said rifts between the Tripartite partners (the ANC, SA Communist Party and Cosatu) were the biggest problem.

Analyst Bheki Mngomezulu said the #FeesMustFall campaign was another contributing factor.

Mngomezulu said having elections later than usual could backfire because it could see the rift deepening.

Khoza denied the elections were delayed for the ruling party to get its house in order.

All citizens, over the age of 18, are encouraged to register to vote during the first voter registration weekend on March 5 and March 6.

Spokeswoman for the DA, Phumzile Van Damme, said the party had elected its mayoral candidates for strategic municipalities and had begun campaigning.

“Voters have shown enthusiasm for electing the DA into government in many municipalities around the country,” said Van Damme, adding the DA would keep a close eye on the IEC for any politicisation and untoward behaviour.

EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee said party members were victims of the ANC’s internal fighting.

“We know the politics of the ANC. But even if they hold the elections in December, the EFF will be ready for them,”

IFP’s Blessed Gwala said: “The longer it takes the better for us because we will use the time to mobilise support. We will regain our lost ground in the upcoming elections.”

Sunday Independent

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