Johannesburg - The top ANC leadership is set to meet this weekend as the party looks to deal with the fallout over its performance in the local government elections.
The urgency of the matter has seen the ruling party postpone its planned national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla, which was scheduled for this weekend.
The ANC has been thrown into crisis by its performance in the elections, which saw it emerging as the overall winner but losing key metros to the opposition.
The decline in support has been interpreted in many quarters as a backlash by voters over corruption, poor service delivery and President Jacob Zuma's leadership.
The NEC meeting comes as the leadership of the ANC in Gauteng - where the party is set to become the opposition in Tshwane, Joburg and Ekurhuleni if the DA concludes successful talks - scrambles to form coalition governments.
The DA and EFF have indicated they are not interested in linking up with the ANC, leading it to rely on smaller opposition parties.
Many ANC leaders have said the election results have forced the party into a deep introspection, but the blame game has also started.
There have been suggestions that the ANC in Gauteng is set to face a backlash over losing the metros, with possible moves to disband the provincial structure.
But ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has denied this.
While Zuma is being blamed, his backers in the ANC have defended him.
The ANC’s Military Veterans Association has come out in support of the president, and more of his supporters are expected to defend him.
The ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), which met on Monday, said on Wednesday that it was negotiating with opposition parties to form coalition governments.
“In municipalities where we have not received more than 50 percent, the PEC has mandated the provincial office-bearers to urgently lead a process of discussions with various parties to form coalition governments.
“These talks are under way and we will communicate once they are finalised. ANC national officials are providing guidance and support,” it said.
“The PEC agreed that the formation of any coalition government must be based on the principle that those we work with are prepared to advance the agenda of radical socio-economic transformation.”
The Star