The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal will return to the drawing board to reassess its internal dispute resolution mechanisms, according to Provincial Task Team Co-ordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu. The move, however, is not an indication of the party questioning its role in the province’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
Mabuyakhulu addressed the media following recent party meetings focused on its programmes of action, priorities, and ongoing political developments in the province. He stated that the internal review is aimed at strengthening the party’s capacity to manage internal conflicts efficiently.
“We are really looking at our dispute resolutions mechanism and looking at what we can do to ensure that where there are grey areas that arise from time to time, we have got the mechanism to be able to deal with those areas,” Mabuyakhulu said.
He was quick to clarify that this internal introspection should not be misconstrued as uncertainty about the ANC’s place in the GPU, a coalition formed after the 2024 elections produced no outright winner.
“This does not mean that the ANC is second-guessing its position in the GPU,” he insisted. “Our position is very firm… we are in the GPU with the other parties and we’re paying respect to those parties.”
While reaffirming the ANC’s commitment to the unity government, Mabuyakhulu also issued a pointed warning to its coalition partners. He emphasized that the GPU must not be used by any party as a weapon against another.
“We equally expect those parties to pay respect to the agency… that none amongst our partners in the GPU can use the GPU against one another and weaponize the position they hold,” he stated.
Elaborating further, Mabuyakhulu made it clear that it would be “unacceptable” for any Member of the Executive Council (MEC)—including those from other parties appointed to their positions with ANC support—to misuse their authority.
“Hence therefore it will not be acceptable to have any of the MECs who would weaponize a position that they occupy because of the ANC,” he said.
The comments highlight the delicate and often tense nature of coalition politics in the province. Mabuyakhulu concluded that while the ANC’s commitment to the GPU is solid, these are matters that need to be “ironed out as partners” to ensure a stable and functional government for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
