ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula has emphasized the party’s commitment to prioritizing competence over political connections in cadre deployment. Speaking to journalists at Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein after the party’s national working committee (NWC) visit to branches in the Free State, Mbalula announced that a skills audit for all senior municipal managers in the province is underway to ensure that qualified and competent individuals are appointed to key positions in municipalities.
Cadre deployment, the practice of placing individuals in positions of authority based on political affiliations, has been a contentious issue. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has challenged the policy in court, but last year, the Pretoria high court rejected the DA’s application to have the ANC’s cadre deployment policy declared unconstitutional.
During the NWC’s visit to the five regions in the Free State, Mbalula highlighted the economic potential of the province, which has been hindered by poor governance, lack of investment, and inadequate infrastructure. To address these challenges, the ANC’s local government interventions task team will provide technical support and urgent assistance to struggling municipalities.
There have been speculations about reconfiguring or disbanding the Free State provincial executive committee (PEC) due to internal divisions and infighting among its leaders. However, Mbalula clarified that the ANC has full confidence in the current PEC led by Mxolisi Dukwana. He emphasized the party’s commitment to undoing corrupt activities and rebuilding the ANC’s presence in the province.
Despite the ANC’s narrow majority of 52.88% in the Free State during the last national and provincial elections, Mbalula and ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe urged the PEC to unite and strengthen the party. They emphasized the importance of addressing internal divisions and improving performance to ensure the party’s success in future elections.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri reiterated that the NWC’s visit aimed to reinforce party structures rather than dissolve them. She emphasized that the visit was part of the ANC’s renewal and rebuilding efforts, dismissing speculation about leadership changes in the province.
Overall, the ANC’s focus on competence, governance, and party unity in the Free State reflects its commitment to addressing challenges and strengthening its presence in the province. The party’s efforts to prioritize service delivery and competent leadership signal a proactive approach to governance and party renewal.
