The African National Congress (ANC) party is facing internal turmoil as reports emerge of disagreements and misconduct among party officials. The focus has been on MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, whose actions are said to be causing harm to the party’s reputation.
According to sources within the party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) officials are scheduled to meet between Sunday and Tuesday to address these issues. Party president Jacob Zuma has called for the meeting to discuss concerns raised about the behavior of Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela. It is reported that the two officials attempted to influence Zuma and undermine other party leaders, leading to tensions within the party.
Recent leaks have revealed letters addressed to Zuma and other party members, highlighting the discontent within the party. The party’s parliamentary caucus has called for the removal of Colleen Makhubele, the parliamentary caucus leader, citing her pro-Israel stance as a betrayal of the party’s values. Additionally, Ndhlela has been removed from the whippery team in parliament due to his disrespectful behavior towards other members.
Criticism of Zuma-Sambudla’s conduct has also come from former party officials, including Floyd Shivambu and Jabulani Khumalo. Zuma-Sambudla has previously apologized for insulting Shivambu and has been accused of influencing Zuma in making decisions that are not in the party’s best interests.
Despite the internal strife, Makhubele remains steadfast in her position as chief whip, stating that changes in leadership are normal for a new party like the MK. However, sources within the party have raised concerns about Ndhlela and Zuma-Sambudla’s resistance to party structures and their disregard for authority.
The upcoming meeting of MK officials is expected to address these issues and provide clarity on the party’s direction. The party’s head of presidency, Magasela Mzobe, has indicated that the meeting will cover various topics, including reports from parliament and governance matters. It is hoped that the meeting will bring resolution to the internal conflicts and pave the way for a more united and cohesive party moving forward. There seems to be a lot of speculation and uncertainty surrounding an upcoming meeting with the president, as highlighted by Mzobe’s comments. The assumption that a specific issue will be discussed without a clear agenda is causing anxiety among party members. Mzobe emphasized that meetings are typically held to address various items brought forward by attendees and that there is no need for panic over trending headlines.
One of the pressing issues mentioned in recent press briefings is the alleged theft of R7 million raised by Shivambu. He accused certain individuals of exploiting Zuma’s vulnerability to manipulate him and embezzle money from the organization. However, Mzobe clarified that financial and governance reports are standard items on the meeting agenda and that specific issues like the alleged theft will be addressed internally.
The party is not rushing into an urgent meeting solely based on trending headlines. Instead, they are focusing on the routine financial and governance reports to assess the organization’s status. Makhubele and Hlophe were scheduled to provide updates on parliamentary developments, including ongoing budget votes, in a media briefing.
Overall, it appears that the party is taking a calm and methodical approach to address internal issues and ensure transparency in their operations. The upcoming meeting with the president will likely cover a range of topics, including financial matters and parliamentary updates, rather than solely focusing on specific allegations or scandals.
