The African National Congress (ANC) has postponed plans to restructure its provincial executive committees (PECs) in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This comes after the party's national executive committee (NEC) resolved to make the changes nearly three weeks ago. ANC officials say the decision was made due to pressing issues, including the killing of South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and internal disagreements within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The African National Congress ( ANC ) national leadership appears to have suspended plans to restructure the party's provincial executive committees (PECs) in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This comes almost three weeks after the ANC 's national executive committee (NEC) resolved to restructure the two PECs and committed to revealing the names of senior leaders who would replace the existing structures in each province.
According to ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, speaking to the media during a recent visit to KZN, the party leadership has shifted its focus to more pressing issues, including the killing of South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and disagreements within the Government of National Unity (GNU). 'We have other pressing issues that require our attention at this point,' Mokonyane said during a recent visit to Pietermaritzburg.The decision to restructure the two PECs was taken after the ANC performed poorly in last year's general elections. In KZN, the party's support dropped from 54% to 17%, while in Gauteng, it declined from 50% to 37%. Poor service delivery and the formation of former president Jacob Zuma's MK Party were cited as major contributing factors to the ANC's poor performance. However, Mokonyane believes that the KZN province has 'turned over a new leaf' since the May elections, citing recent wins in by-elections. 'We have seen significant improvements in recent by-elections, and we believe that the province is on the right track.'The ANC's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, had initially promised that the top seven national leadership structure's decision on the reconfiguration would have been announced by now. The ANC's national leadership has been criticized for its handling of the reconfiguration process. Some party members have accused the leadership of being indecisive and lacking a clear strategy for reviving the party's fortunes. However, a source close to Luthuli House, the ANC’s Headquarters, said there were political dynamics behind the reconfiguration of both provinces. “You must remember municipal elections are around the corner and the leaders of the two provinces have a lot of support. It's not easy to just let them go. This is just plain politics and in-fighting for power,” the source revealed. Although he could not elaborate, he said there was a matter discussed among the ANC senior members involving some of the Gauteng members suspected to be aligned to Zuma. “There is talk in the corridors that Zuma has infiltrated the Gauteng ANC leadership…so that is why Mbalula has come out guns blazing,” he said. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said, during an interview on national television, that if the ANC interfered with the two provinces it may backfire on the national leadership. “The ANC is being inconsistent because in 2006 the ANC started experiencing a huge decline…and then spoke about collective responsibility. But now all of a sudden they are singling out two provinces…Its a miscalculation to disband these two provinces because people like Panyaza (Lesufi) will be emboldened in a sense that they will go to the branches and mobilise against the national leadership,” Breakfast said
ANC Restructuring Pecs Gauteng Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) National Executive Committee (NEC) Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC) Government Of National Unity (GNU) Jacob Zuma Municipal Elections
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
KZN, Gauteng ANC leadership to be reconfigured: NEC resolution - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports,ANC PECs in KZN and Gauteng to be reconfigured within the parameters of the ANC constitution
Read more »
ANC to announce resolution on Gauteng, KZN PECsThe party's National Executive Committee met over this weekend to discuss the fate of the two provinces.
Read more »
ANC opts for reconfiguration of Gauteng and KZN PECs, instead of disbandmentAfter a two-day NEC meeting, the ANC has decided against disbanding Gauteng and KZN PECs, opting instead for reconfiguration to address the provinces' electoral performance, which has been criticised for significantly dropping ANC support.
Read more »
ANC’s Gauteng and KZN ‘reconfiguration’ may not bring back its glory daysThe reconfiguration means that new people could be appointed to the top five leadership positions in the provinces.
Read more »
ANC to finalise fate of Gauteng and KZN provincial leadershipTo disband or to reconfigure KZN and Gauteng provincial structures are now the only two options being considered by the ANC’s NEC following the party’s two-day NEC meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
Read more »
ANC acts to reinforce KZN and Gauteng provincial structuresIn a stark reflection of the ANC's struggles, the party has decided to reconfigure and reinforce the KZN and Gauteng Provincial Executive Committees following drops in voter share at the recent elections.
Read more »