“Zuma’s Alleged Plot to Reclaim ANC: Sources Reveal Factional Battle with MKP Influence”

by Hope Ngobeni

image source

Sources within the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) have revealed that a factional group, dubbed the β€œuMkhonto Wesizwe party battalion,” is actively operating within the ruling party. This group, which has strong links to the now opposition party, uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP), is reportedly working to facilitate a transition that would see the ANC eventually evolve into MKP. According to insiders, the faction is backed by former President Jacob Zuma, who, despite his expulsion from the party, continues to hold influence and seeks to reclaim control over the ANC.

The sources claim that Zuma believes President Cyril Ramaphosa is an agent undermining the ANC and that his ousting would allow Zuma and his allies to form a strong, united black-led party. This new party would potentially include the ANC, MKP, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and other like-minded organizations. “This is just a transition; the ANC as we know it is dead, but we will not leave the ANC to join MKP yet. We will oust Cyril Ramaphosa first and reclaim our movement from white hands,” one source said.

Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s Secretary-General, has confirmed that he will pursue disciplinary action against party members accused of misconduct, including prominent figures like Tony Yengeni and Obed Bapela. These members have come under scrutiny following their support for the MKP ahead of the May 29 elections. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mbalula emphasized that the ANC’s rules apply to all members, regardless of rank or status. He stated, β€œI took Ace Magashule and Jacob Zuma to the Disciplinary Committee (DC), and I will take Tony Yengeni too. I don’t need an NEC meeting to charge a wayward NEC member.” Mbalula’s firm stance on discipline within the ANC has sparked heated debates, with some members warning that such actions could lead to a mass exodus from the party, particularly ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Zuma, on the other hand, has remained defiant. He argues that his expulsion from the ANC was unjust, citing procedural irregularities in the disciplinary processes. In a letter issued to the ANC on the party’s 113th birthday, Zuma’s attorney, Thabo Kwinana, demanded that the ANC reinstate his membership by January 31, or face legal action. The letter outlines several concerns regarding the fairness of the National Disciplinary Committee’s (NDC) decisions and suggests that an independent legal review could invalidate the expulsion. Zuma’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, has also weighed in, asserting that Mbalula’s remarks are not based on any factual understanding of ANC’s internal structures. β€œThe NEC is not the highest decision-making body of the ANC. The conference still holds that authority,” Manyi stated, questioning why Zuma was targeted while other senior figures, such as South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary Solly Mapaila, faced no repercussions for similar statements against the ANC leadership.

Zuma’s support base within the ANC remains strong, with sources indicating that 24 out of the 80 NEC members were in communication with him as early as December 2023, following the formation of MKP. These insiders confirmed that there is a growing movement within the ANC that aligns itself with MKP, but the strategy is not to leave the ANC en masse. Instead, the goal appears to be to vote for MKP, potentially positioning it as a formidable force in future elections.

The ongoing tensions within the ANC, particularly the factionalism linked to Zuma’s leadership and the rise of MKP, have raised concerns about the future unity and direction of the party. As the battle for control continues, the ideological divide between those loyal to Ramaphosa and those supporting Zuma could significantly shape the political landscape ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The outcomes of these internal conflicts will likely determine not only the future of the ANC but also the strength and viability of the opposition MKP in the coming years.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00