Durban - Tensions caused by infighting in the ANC’s eThekwini region could spill into other regions of the party if not resolved, say two Durban political commentators.
Zakhele Ndlovu and Protas Madlala said the failure of senior leaders to resolve the controversies in the ailing eThekwini region could set a dangerous precedent.
Ndlovu said: “The top structure must act decisively to send a clear message to other regions that no form of chaos will be entertained.”
Madlala said: “I think the leadership at national level must act in a way that will show no sympathy to people who are bringing the party into disrepute.”
The region, which is the ANC’s biggest and most influential, boasting 103 branches, has failed to convene a successful elective conference. The region is torn between factions supporting current mayor James Nxumalo and councillor Zandile Gumede.
In the first conference Nxumalo beat his challenger by 253 votes to 212. But the conference was nullified because it had included three branches which were not properly audited.
The conference was reconvened earlier this month but couldn’t function, as a faction believed to support Gumede brought it to a halt. Supporters entered the conference at Greyville Racecourse chanting songs against premier and provincial chairman Senzo Mchunu.
Ndlovu said the conference had failed to sit because leaders from the provincial and national executives were “remote controlling” the chaos for their own gains.
“The dynamics here are that if Gumede wins, then Sihle Zikalala (secretary of the party in KZN) is likely to be elected provincial chairman.
“And at national level we could see treasurer and former KZN premier Zweli Mkhize become deputy president,” he said.
The Gumede camp would likely throw its weight behind any faction that had Zweli Mkhize in it, said Ndlovu.
Things were likely to remain as they are if Nxumalo won. With president Jacob Zuma serving his last term, Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to succeed him. But there was talk according to Ndlovu, that some regions were against the move.
Madlala said the top leadership should embark on a rigorous campaign to rid the divisions that have beset the region ever since the succession debate begun.
Whoever wins the region will have control of the city’s staggering R39.1 billion budget announced by Nxumalo on Thursday.
Attempts by the party’s top six, which include president Jacob Zuma, to quell the tensions have borne no fruit. Zuma and his entourage visited the region earlier this month.
“It’s tough for them (top six) because they have to appear as impartial. But we all know about the links from regions right up to the top structures,” said Ndlovu, adding that the party’s top six found themselves between a rock and a hard place.
Both analysts said they believed that the factions retarded the progress of the party, and with local government elections looming, the ANC was in a race against time to get its house in order.
Madlala said, “Parties like the DA would capitalised on the ANC’s factions. They will try their utmost to appeal as an alternative to disgruntled ANC members.”
Both analysts agreed that the factions and infighting were not unique to the ANC, as most political parties were affected by internal divisions.
Sunday Tribune