The divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) continue to deepen, as Secretary General Fikile Mbalula issued a stern warning to potential defectors contemplating a move to the newly formed uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP). His remarks follow a troubling trend within the ANC, suggesting that former President Jacob Zuma’s influence remains a persistent albatross around the party’s neck, jeopardising its unity and electoral prospects.
During a media briefing held in Johannesburg, Mbalula reflected on the ANC’s expectations regarding Zuma’s MKP, predicting an appeal to some disgruntled members of the ruling party. However, he insisted that mass defections are unlikely. “You can see that Zuma’s stockvel is imploding daily because he has brought his friends into this arrangement while dismissing those who have genuinely committed themselves to the party,” Mbalula stated, alluding to claims that the MKP has become a family affair under Zuma’s direction.
Expressing confidence in the ANC’s resilience, Mbalula suggested that members who left the party under the impression that Zuma was a benevolent figure would soon recognise the reality of the situation. “Those who left because they thought Zuma was a good person will come to see, very quickly, that they were hoodwinked,” he asserted. The Secretary General portrayed Zuma’s departure as a critical step towards the long-awaited renewal that the ANC has been seeking.
Mbalula didn’t shy away from addressing Zuma’s detrimental impact on the ANC’s performance in recent elections, describing him as a significant factor in the party’s struggles. “It’s important that the factor (Zuma) extricated itself from us so that people can see him for what he is,” he remarked. The Secretary General confidently stated that removing Zuma from the equation would allow the party to present a clearer image to its supporters.
The current political landscape is further complicated as Mbalula hinted at the ANC Free State chapter’s interest in enticing Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesperson, to their ranks. Though he refrained from confirming any approach had been made, Mbalula lauded Ndlozi as a “good member of society” and a “good politician.” He admonished EFF leader Julius Malema, suggesting that marginalising Ndlozi was ill-advised, thereby hinting at the shifting dynamics within opposition ranks.
As the ANC grapples with internal strife and external challenges, Mbalula’s remarks underscore a party at a crossroads, one hoping to revitalise its fortunes and maintain its status as South Africa’s leading political force