“The organisation is not at all ready for the upcoming elections. I expect that the conflicts within the organisation will only increase,”
This is the take of Prof. André Duvenhage, political analyst at the North-West university, in response to the chaos that has played out this week in Matlosana regarding the election and subsequent resignation of Washington Ntozini as mayor of this municipality.
On Tuesday (13 November) Ntozini was elected as mayor amidst a chaotic council meeting. The previous mayor, Maetu Kgaile was ousted in October during a vote of no confidence.
Not withstanding the fact this fact she was still put forth as a candidate for mayor during the council meeting on Tuesday. The next day (Wednesday, 14 November) representatives of the ANC’s NEC, Jessie Duarte, David Mahlobo and Dakota Lekgoete went to Matlosana. After a marathon meeting Ntozini resigned as mayor on Wednesday evening. Apologising for putting the party into disrepute. Another council meeting has now been scheduled for Monday (19 November) to again elect a new mayor for Matlosana.
According to Duvenhage the conflict in Matlosana is no exception to the phenomenon that the ANC in the province is starting to fall apart because of internal conflicts.
“Consequently, there are unmanaged conflicts and an inability to make decisions. This is the case at all levels of the organisation,” said Duvenhage.
According to him this is what has been playing out in Matlosana.
“Intervention from above was needed to stabilise the organisation in this area. Hence the reversal of decisions. The ANC wants to ensure unity at all costs,” he said.
According to Joe McGluwa, provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance, the council meeting on Monday (19 November will serve to re-elect ousted mayor Maetu Kgaile.
“It is clear that the failing ANC does not understand due democratic process and that the party will always put the needs of the ANC before those of the people. The failing ANC’s internal political instability brought by factionalism and division have resulted in a collapse of governance and brought basic service delivery to a complete halt in the North West,” he said in a statement.
