By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal provincial task team (PTT) convenor Jeff Radebe has promised to fight factionalism within the party’s structure and increase unity among its leaders.
The PTT was appointed last week following the disbandment of the ANC KZN provincial executive committee (PEC) by the party’s national leadership.
Apart from Radebe, other ANC members who were appointed to the ANC PTT top six leadership structure were Mike Mabuyakhulu, who was appointed as PTT coordinator, former KZN Premier Nomusa Dube -Ncube was appointed as PTT second coordinator, former social development MEC Weziwe Thusi – who was appointed as the PTT 2nd convenor, KZN Transport and Human Settlement MEC Siboniso Duma, who was appointed as PTT third convenor and Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane – who was appointed as PTT fundraiser.
The disbanding has caused internal strife, with members arguing that it was not warranted so close to the local government elections.
Radebe briefed the media in Durban on Wednesday following the PTT’s inaugural meeting which took place on Monday.
“I and my colleagues, we come with a fresh perspective that we want to start from ground zero to move brick by brick, root and branch to ensure that all the mistakes that the ANC made previously are corrected timeously and that we get back to where we are supposed to be.”
He added that those who are corrupt and factional will be removed.
Radebe said the PTT would focus on rebuilding municipalities to fix the mess that was left by the provincial leadership, which saw a decline in voter support in the 2024 elections, securing only 16.99% of the provincial vote, a significant drop from the 54.22% it obtained in 2019.
“There are no holy cows here. I told you that one of our principal tasks is to monitor all cadres who are deployed in the government of provincial unity and municipalities. We’re not going to be sparing anyone, “he said.
Radebe said the decline in voter confidence in the province was caused by the “arrogance” of the provincial government.
“We start from ground zero as I’ve told the inaugural meeting of the provincial task team. In other words, we’ve been appointed to restore confidence to the ANC by the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen percent is a disaster. It reflects that the arrogance of the ANC has caused us [to lose] the vote,”he said.
Mabuyakhulu said the team will assess its municipalities where they govern to find out how to best address the challenges faced by communities.
“We are going to have a summit that is going to be convened to ensure that we bring all of our municipalities together to assess how we are performing in each of those municipalities where we govern.”
He added that they would also assess performance in municipalities where it is in the opposition.
Radebe said it was important to restore confidence in municipal government and the Ingonyama Trust, as well as to help restore Ithala Bank, which faces liquidation.
He said the team would approach the minister of finance, Enoch Godongwana, and the governor of the South African Reserve Bank to find ways to save the bank from insolvency.
“We must also redouble our efforts to mobilise our traditional base which includes the White, Coloured and Indian community, including our Alliance Partners, the SACP, COSATU and SANCO who must be part and parcel of our renewal project,” he said.
Meanwhile the ANC said it will maintain its ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, regardless of any sanctions imposed by the US.
The ANC has preserved the foreign policy of the government of national unity exclusively for itself, but it can be expected that the DA will increasingly challenge it.
The narrative that South Africa does Iran’s dirty work in exchange for financial support to the ANC has become increasingly stronger in recent months, both in South Africa and in Washington.