Another blow for ruling party
The provincial ANC has suffered a second blow in less than a month when two of its prevalent members defected to the EFF.
MBOMBELA – The news has sparked heated debates on social media, and their reasons have poured gasoline on the fire.
A former member of the parliament of the ANC, Mr Tseko Taabe, has recently joined the EFF, alongside the former Mbombela mayor, Mr Isaiah Khoza.
The departure of the two members to the rival party served as a wake-up call to others, while to some it was a matter they saw coming. Mpumalanga News spoke to Mr Somadoda Fikeni, a political analyst, to find out whether the ANC in the province is in tatters.
“The ANC in Mpumalanga has been plagued by a lot of serious problems lately, ones which are affecting it negatively. From corruption allegations, spy allegations, and the newly formed lobby group, Save The ANC.
Whether all or none of these allegations were proven to be true, it’s still has a negative effect on the party. All the fragmentations are now starting to show to the public, hence the people defect to other parties,” said
Mr Somadoda Fikeni, a political analyst. According to Fikeni, the defections are most likely going to cause less damage to the party in the upcoming local government elections next year, if handled correctly.
“Municipalities are really not at risk because of all the fractions, the departure of certain individuals will not affect the elections that much, unless the denatured people carry with them a number of people. The pressure comes with the lists, to see who is included and who is excluded, either way, there will be people who will be left unhappy.”
Somadoda went on to give his analysis about the internal divisions caused by the push for provincial chairperson, Mr David Mabuza’s third term in office.
“It is still too early to determine whether or not Mabuza will get his third term in office, as it is long before the provincial conference.
“It’s one thing to win internal fights, but it’s another to win the hearts and earn the trust of the people,” he concluded.
ANC provincial secretary, Mr Lucky Ndinisa, did not want to comment on the matter, he told the paper that whatever information they need, should be referred to the previous statements released by the party with regards to the defections.
“I will only talk to the media on October 5, during a press conference of which the details will be communicated at a later stage.
“The conference will cover a range of issues, including this one, it is the platform to raise any questions preferred,” said
Mr Lucky Ndinisa.
