The ANC’s top brass is set to rope in its former leaders to reconfigure the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC) in Gauteng, signalling the intention by the national executive committee (NEC) to reduce the powers of the provincial leadership.
The NEC made a decision to reconfigure the PEC at the weekend as part of a plan to rebuild the province, along with KwaZulu-Natal, which significantly contributed to the ANC’s slide from 57.5% in 2019 to 40.2% in last year’s general election.
Business Day understands former leaders that could be brought in include former ANC KwaZulu-Natal deputy chair Mike Mabuyakhulu, former head of policy and energy minister Jeff Radebe, and former social development minister Bathabile Dlamini.
In a letter sent to the Panyaza Lesufi-led PEC dated January 20, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula informed the Gauteng PEC of the NEC’s decision to reconfigure the leadership. The party’s top seven, including President Cyril Ramaphosa has until next week Monday to finalise a proposal on what reconfiguration means, ensuring the process is in line with the party’s constitution.
Mbalula said the reconfiguration process should not interfere with the work of the government. Lesufi as premier is leading a minority government in Gauteng, which includes the PA, Rise Mzansi and IFP.
“The NEC agreed the state of organisation in our provinces required urgent action following the loss of elections. However, the loss the ANC suffered in the two key provinces required immediate action as the two [Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal] provinces were not only the most populous economic hubs of the country,” the letter reads.
“There was extensive debate on the action that needs to be taken to strengthen the ANC. The NEC agreed that not taking action was not an option. There were extensive discussions on the issue of the dissolution of the PECs or how best they can be strengthened. The NEC agreed that the overriding objective is how the ANC can be strengthened and rebuilt in the two provinces.”
Mbalula further instructed the PEC to continue with party activities in the province until the reconfiguration process has been concluded. Lesufi is set to address the party’s provincial birthday celebrations of the party on February 2.
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