Compromise unity slate rejected as internal divisions and public lobbying intensify
By: JN Reporter
The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West province is facing deepening internal turmoil after a proposed compromise unity slate was rejected, triggering intensified factional divisions and an open scramble for support ahead of the upcoming provincial conference.
The collapse of unity talks has exposed sharp fault lines within the party, with rival camps now openly canvassing branches and lobbying delegates in a bid to consolidate power.
What was initially framed as a last-ditch effort to present a united front has instead unravelled into a public display of mistrust, heightening tensions and raising concerns about further instability in the province. Tensions escalated last week following the leak of a 90-second audio clip on social media, allegedly capturing a conversation between Deputy Provincial Secretary and Education MEC Viola Motsumi and the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation. In the clip, Motsumi launches a scathing attack on Premier Lazarus.
“Lazi” Mokgosi. In her response to the leaked recording, Motsumi also accused former ANC Provincial Deputy Chairperson and ex-Matlosana Local Municipality mayor, China Thamsanqa Dodovu, of becoming the “biggest wedge driver in contemporary ANC politics”.
She warned that should attacks against her continue, she would expose “the details surrounding his resignation as mayor, including the serious issues of other malfeasance and misconduct that accompanied it”.
A party member who spoke to Journal News on condition of anonymity said the recent public spat between the two dominant factions — one led by provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi and the other aligned to his deputy, Mokgosi — is merely “the tip of the iceberg”. “The cracks are too deep now,” the source said. “A lot is happening among leaders contesting positions.
Secret meetings are held daily, and plans are being made to discredit opposing factions. A compromise unity slate was proposed, but both factions rejected it because members wanted inclusion in the top five.”
According to the source, while many members initially supported the idea of unity, disagreements over key positions proved insurmountable. “Both slates want their preferred candidate to be elected as chairperson, and other contenders are unwilling to be excluded from a unity list,” he said.
The disagreement – according to the source – led the PEC to request a two-month postponement of the provincial conference from the party’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula. The conference was initially scheduled to take place later this month.
“That request has not yet been responded to, as far as I can tell,” a source said on Wednesday. Campaign posters circulating on social media reflect the growing contestation. In one version of the Maloyi-aligned slate, Maloyi is positioned for chairperson, with Maine tipped for secretary, while another poster places Maine as provincial treasurer.
Current provincial secretary Louis Diremelo is contesting for deputy chairperson under Maloyi, whilehis deputy, Motsumi, is seeking to retain her position, according to both posters.
Notably, Kenetswe Homane appears as a preferred candidate for treasurer on both the Maloyi-aligned slate and on Mokgosi’s slate. The Mokgosi-aligned grouping reportedly lists Sello Lehari as deputy chairperson, Mpho Khunou as secretary, and Tebogo Modise as deputy secretary.
The unfolding leadership battle has raised concerns among broader provincial structures, including the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), a key ANC-aligned civic movement. Provincial SANCO spokesperson Mzukisi Jam accused some ANC members of prioritising personal ambition over the interests of the organisation. “Sometimes this results in the mobilisation of support for leaders who may lack the necessary competence, but who are elevated through factional victories and subsequently deployed into government,” Jam said.
He added that SANCO is “deeply disappointed” by the conduct of certain ANC leaders ahead of what he described as a critical gathering. “Recent public developments during the State of the Province Address have revealed the extent to which internal factional battles have shaped how members of the same political party speak about one another,” he said.
The Tripartite Alliance partner has called on ANC members to prioritise organisational discipline over personal vendettas, warning that internal divisions only serve to weaken the movement. Attempts to obtain comment from ANC provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and questions sent to him had not been responded to at the time of publication.
