Uncertainty looms over KZN ANC task team as Mbalula's criticism sparks potential restructuring
Amidst ongoing criticism, the KZN ANC Provincial Task Team remains steadfast as it awaits a crucial directive from national leadership.
Image: Independent Media archives
MONTHS after ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula publicly condemned the KwaZulu-Natal ANC Provincial Task Team for its failure to revitalise the party in the province, uncertainty looms as there is still no official directive from Luthuli House regarding the disbandment of the interim body led by Jeff Radebe and Mike Mabuyakhulu.
Mbalula did not hold back in his criticism, comparing the task team's lacklustre performance to "a slow-moving Toyoza Tazz."
He indicated that the 67-member task team would undergo reconfiguration, potentially being reduced to a smaller, more efficient group.
"Notwithstanding Mbalula’s announcement, the task team is doing its work as normal until the national leadership provides a new directive," says the party’s provincial spokesperson, Fanle Sibisi.
He emphasised that the task team was appointed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and would continue its operations until instructed otherwise.
"For now, it’s business as usual," Sibisi added.
Sibisi also mentioned that the party is actively organising conferences for branches in preparation for both regional and provincial conferences. While he refrained from divulging specific details, he assured that a new roadmap is in place to guide the provincial conference.
Originally, the task team was expected to hold a provincial conference in November; however, none of the 11 regions convened a conference, prompting Mbalula's outburst.
Looking ahead, Sibisi noted that the NEC meeting scheduled for next month would make the final decision on the task team's future.
An ANC branch leader in eThekwini remarked that very few branches in the region have successfully conducted meetings and elected new leaders. Meanwhile, the ANC’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, did not respond to requests for comment.
This ongoing situation highlights the challenges faced by the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal as it navigates internal dynamics and prepares for a pivotal moment in its leadership structure.