The recently installed KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial task team (PTT) says it will fight factionalism, root out corruption within its ranks, audit branches, and bring people back to the party.
Led by ANC veteran Jeff Radebe, the PTT made this undertaking while briefing the media today (March 5) in Durban, following its first meeting since assuming office last week.
Speaking on behalf of the task team, Radebe said their collective task is a generational mission to reposition the ANC as the centre of people’s power after the disastrous 2024 general elections results.
The organisation secured a measly 17% vote in KZN, which Radebe described as “disastrous” and a reflection of “arrogance”.
The former ANC policy chief added that they strove to renew the party and stem arrogance, which he blamed for the massive electoral loss in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 general elections.
The former ANC policy chief added that they strove to renew the party and stem arrogance, which he blamed for the massive electoral loss in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 general elections.
Voters punished the ANC in the province and reduced its majority from more than 50% to a mere 17%.
“Our task includes retaining our existing support base and regaining the support of those ANC Supporters who voted against us in 2024. But above all we must engage with all those who live in our communities to be active in building structures of civil society, including respecting and working very closely with our Traditional Leaders and the Religious Communities”
“We must also work closely to turn around the major municipalities in our province, especially those we play a major role in such as eThekwini Metro,” Radebe said.
Reminding everyone that the PTT was “in charge”, Radebe promised to hold accountable all ANC deployees in the Government or Provincial Unity (GPU) who hold MEC positions.
This includes Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, the former provincial ANC chairperson, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka.
Turning to internal issues, Radebe, the former Justice and Constitutional Development minister, said they have to deal with factionalism and corruption.
“We must decisively deal with Internal challenges such as factionalism and corruption. We have no space for corruption in this collective. We are not going to allow anyone regardless of who they are, to use their positions to gain advantage by any corrupt means. We must all recommit to our founding principles of renewal to rebuild all our structures,” he added.
Above all else, Radebe said they face an existential threat that requires drastic measures to turn things around.
“Our collective goal is to bring back people home to the ANC. We have to fight back to regain the confidence of our people. We must redouble our efforts to mobilise our traditional base which includes the White, Coloured and Indian community, including our alliance partners, the SACP, COSATU and SANCO who must be part and parcel of our renewal project.”’
Radebe said the issue of auditing branches and verifying membership would be undertaken in three weeks, adding that this would ensure the credibility of our processes (elective conferences).
On February 25, the ANC announced a 67-member KwaZulu-Natal PTT, led by Radebe as the convenor and former KwaZulu-Natal MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu as the coordinator.
The structure also included former provincial chairperson Duma, his former deputy Simelane, former treasurer Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, and former Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo, albeit in junior positions.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said Mtolo will still receive his full salary as the provincial secretary until the end of his three-year term, which started in July 2022.
“Bheki Mtolo is the convener for policy, monitoring and evaluation. And Bheki Mtolo will remain on the full ANC payroll of till the term that was defined at the time he was elected as the provincial legislature,” Mbalula said.
Mbalula also announced the inclusion of former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, former Minister Sbu Ndebele, former Social Development MEC Weziwe Thusi, the current Deputy Minister for Labour, Ntuthuko (Jomo) Sibiya, and former ANC Youth League leaders in the province, Kwazi Mshengu, Thanduxolo Sabelo and Amanda Bani.
Also included was former provincial ANC spokesperson, Nhlakanipho Ntombela who has been appointed as the convener for organising and campaigns and Bheki Ntuli as the convener for elections.
The former ANC Musa Dladla regional secretary Tholi Gwala was roped in as the convener for drafting.
Mbalula told the media that the move to reconfigure the structure was necessary as the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal was clobbered during last year’s elections. The party was dethroned from its first position and became the third largest party in the province after the MK Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
