The relationship between the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance partners in KwaZulu-Natal has hit a new low, with the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) deciding to cut ties with the ruling party. This decision comes after months of tensions and disagreements between Sanco and the ANC leadership in the province.
The ANC’s provincial executive committee, led by chairperson Siboniso Duma and secretary Bheki Mtolo, has been facing criticism for its lack of communication and consultation with its alliance partners. Sanco, along with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (Cosatu), has been trying to schedule alliance meetings with the ANC since the end of last year, but to no avail. This lack of engagement has led Sanco to accuse the ANC leadership of being arrogant and factional, and failing to prioritize the alliance.
In a letter to Bheki Mtolo, Sanco KwaZulu-Natal secretary Sizwe Cele expressed the alliance’s frustration with the ANC’s attitude towards collaboration. Despite numerous attempts to engage with the ANC, there has been no response or willingness to work together on key issues. This has led Sanco to believe that the ANC is not interested in revitalizing the alliance and is instead content to let it deteriorate.
As a result, Sanco has decided to sever ties with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, effective immediately. This means that Sanco will no longer participate in ANC programs or events, and will not invite ANC leadership to its activities. The decision has been communicated to the national leadership of Sanco, who remain committed to maintaining the alliance with the SACP and Cosatu in the province.
The SACP and Cosatu have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the functioning of the alliance in KwaZulu-Natal and their exclusion from decision-making processes by the ANC leadership. However, the ANC has chosen not to respond publicly to Sanco’s decision, stating that they will continue to work towards strengthening their structures and relationships with all alliance partners.
While differences among alliance partners are inevitable, the breakdown in communication and collaboration between the ANC and Sanco highlights the challenges facing the ruling party in KwaZulu-Natal. As the ANC faces possible dissolution by the national executive committee, the loss of key allies like Sanco only adds to the mounting pressure on the party leadership.
