FILE PHOTO: [left - right] ANC KZN Chairperson, Siboniso Duma, Deputy Chairperson, Nomagugu Zulu-Simelane, ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, his deputy, Nomvula Mokonyane, ANC KZN Provincial Secretary, Bheki Mtolo, and his deputy, Sipho Hlomuka. PICTURE: ANCKZN/Facebook
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0 DURBAN: The party has seen a sharp decline in support at the local government level.
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the appointment of senior party members to assist in its preparations for the elections next year.
Senior party leaders, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Bheki Cele, Senzo Mchunu, and Mike Mabuyakhulu are some of the leaders deployed to help the party run its elections campaign. The party held a media briefing in Durban post its executive committee meeting.
The ANC in Luthuli House is leaving nothing to chance in attempts to regain control of the second-biggest province in the country.
Last week, the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula together with senior party members descended on the province to assess the state of the party.
Among some of the decisions taken was the deployment of senior party members to assist the provincial executive committee ahead of the elections.
The party’s Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo denied reports that some within the province were opposed to the appointment of former Deputy Chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu.
“It was an agreement that we really need re-enforcement to make sure that we expand our human resource capacity. What we should not run away from is that experience in the movement and anywhere even in corporate works,” said Mtolo.
The party has seen a sharp decline in support at the local government level, losing more than 13 wards in recent by-elections.
Meanwhile, Mtolo has questioned the decision of the National Executive Committee of the ANCWL to dissolve the recently held provincial conference of the league. The conference was marred by allegations of irregularities.
“I think the Women’s League NEC, I think they missed many steps in the process for example in the constitution of the woman’s league there is no nullification. It’s only a court of law that can nullify a conference. If there are disputes in a conference, you subject dispute to a due process you don’t just get a report and you dismiss,” Mtolo added.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, much like in Gauteng, faces the possibility of losing control in the provinces in 2024’s polls.
Mbalula said Mabuyakhulu is one of many ANC leaders to be deployed to KwaZulu-Natal.
“To work with the comrades and coordinate election structures, not to replace Mtolo, to work with him. Mtolo is an elected secretary of the ANC, so he can’t be replaced. He will work with his experience, not only Mabuyakhulu, all other comrades with experience who have worked in KwaZulu-Natal, will be deployed,” Mbalula said.
The provincial leadership says it will continue to recognise the newly elected women’s league until its appeals process has been finalised.
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