HIGH ranking ANC sources have confirmed that a faction within the ANC’s regional and provincial structure is on a ‘mission to remove’ a string of Zululand political leaders.
Describing the move as an ‘orchestrated plan’, the leaders who spoke to the Zululand Observer on condition of anonymity, said first on the faction’s firing line was uThungulu District Mayor Thembeka Mchunu.
Other leaders reportedly in ‘jeopardy’ include Mthonjaneni Mayor Shadile Ndlangamandla, uMhlathuze Mayor Elphas Mbatha, uMlalazi Speaker Nozipho Mtshali and ANC Chief Whip at uMlalazi, Mondli Mbuyazi.
The regional faction reportedly emanated from the two opposing camps – Thulani Mashaba and Cedric Gcina – during the race to the ANC Musa Dladla elections.
But the division reportedly has extended to the ANC’s provincial executive committee (PEC), with rumours that the faction was even determined to oust Senzo Mchunu from his post as Premier.
‘If you concentrate on removing each other, it cannot be good for the party,’ said the high ranking ANC member.
‘The faction uses style and tact to solve a problem and remove people who are a threat. Sometimes a decision is made outright to remove a person. At other times, Councillors will complain about problems with a leader.
‘This is done to ensure they have access in running a municipality and dictate when it comes to tenders and decision making. This destabilises local government and affects morale on the ground,’ another prominent leader told the Zululand Observer.
No factions
However, Chairperson of the ANC Musa Dladla Region, Thulani Mashaba, denied the existence of factions and said no decision had been made to remove any Zululand mayors.
‘We are fresh out of the regional conference and there are no divisions. The people making these allegations do not understand the party and we will not tolerate or accept attempts to divide the ANC in this region. We must be disciplined members of the party and accept the current leadership,’ said Mashaba.
He said the issue of deployment was an internal process as ‘mayors were the product of the ANC’.
‘Mayors, who are deployed by the ANC, are subject to scrutiny and assessment. The party can at any time take a decision to remove a mayor, MEC or minister just like in the case of Thabo Mbeki after the Polokwane conference.
‘The ANC leadership should be given space to make its decisions. We will not be tempted to fall into this trap of instilling disunity,’ Mashaba said.
