By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Paul Mashatile has dismissed speculation that the party wants to dissolve the Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
Mashatile visited Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday and engaged with traditional authorities and community members.
His visit coincides with the ANC’s election campaigning in Ward 2, where by-elections are scheduled for next Wednesday.
He said the ANC national leadership’s priority was to strengthen the PEC, not to get rid of it.
“We don’t want to blame KZN or GP, we are reflecting ourselves as national leadership. We see this period as the time for recovery and time to cover lost ground rather than blaming one another. I know many people were saying we are calling KZN because we want to dissolve the PEC, that is not the case, we are not dissolving anyone. We are engaging and coming up with plans.”
The National Working Committee (NWC) will meet next year after January 8 to review the reports, added Mashatile.
The ANC top brass was dissatisfied with the electoral outcomes in Gauteng and KZN where it received 34.76% in the May elections down from 50.19% in 2019 and 17% down from 54.2% respectively.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Tuesday said the ANC was considering all available options, which included the possibility of disbanding the two PECs.
“Disbandment is a total overhaul — we remove the structure and replace it. Or it can be that we are fine with the status quo and the people are fit for the task with minor tweaks here and there — or we can bring in new people to provide support to the structure, “he said.