ANC at war with itself in fractured Limpopo
Tensions between two ANC factions in Limpopo are intensifying and could see Premier Stan Mathabatha booted from his job.
|||Johannesburg - The ANC has denied fresh allegations that Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha could be axed.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said it would be disingenuous to recall Mathabatha while the party was still dealing with the political dynamics which led to the loss of support in the key metros and other municipalities in the country during recent municipal elections.
Despite the party’s assurances that Mathabatha’s job was safe, allies of Knocks Seabi, the ANC’s secretary in Limpopo, and Mathabatha’s supporters are at each other’s throats.
The tension between the two factions is intensifying, with Seabi accused of plotting to remove Mathabatha from office.
Seabi, who has been dubbed “Premier League leader” in the province, is accused of planning to replace Mathabatha with either Dickson Masemola or former ANC deputy provincial chairperson Lehlogonolo Masoga. Communications Minister Faith Muthambi’s name has also been mentioned.
According to provincial executive committee (PEC) members, Seabi is aggrieved that Danny Msiza, who is the provincial treasurer and Mathabatha’s ally, has stripped him of powers to control the ANC finances.
PEC members who spoke to The Sunday Independent on condition of anonymity said they found Seabi’s discontent with Msiza ridiculous because he (Msiza) is the party’s provincial treasurer.
“The ANC in Limpopo had no treasurer following the death of former provincial treasurer Thembi Nwendwamutsu and Seabi was in total control of everything,” said a PEC member.
“Msiza is a consummate leader who doesn’t take nonsense from Seabi. Msiza is disciplined and is therefore being targeted for doing his work properly. Seabi’s allies are targeting Mathabatha because he is Msiza’s ally.”
Mathabatha has been accused of being controlled by Msiza, but PEC members dismissed this.
“Let me put it to you (this way), these divisions are destroying the organisation,” said another PEC member. “Msiza has no control over Mathabatha. This is a ploy to weaken his leadership and remove him. However, the people of Limpopo aren’t stupid - they will see right through (it).”
Seabi is alleged to have been part of a meeting that planned to oust Mathabatha before the end of this year, a claim he has denied.
The meeting to plan “a coup” against Mathabatha is alleged to have been held in Gauteng and attended by some members of the so-called premier league, a faction made of premiers of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West.
The league is said to support AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to take over from President Zuma as ANC leader next year.
Mathabatha, on the other hand, has been adamant that Cyril Ramaphosa must succeed Zuma as it is the tradition of the ANC that the ANC deputy president should succeed the president.
This is said to have not gone down well with Zuma’s supporters.
Seabi confirmed that he was aware of the allegations levelled against him, that he is the commander of the premier league in Limpopo.
“I’m not a member of any faction, including the so-called premier league. The people who are spreading these rumours are mischievous and out of order,” said Seabi. “I have never attended any meeting of the so-called Premier League. Premier Stan Mathabatha is my comrade and there’s no tension between us. The ANC in Limpopo is very united.”
He said the ANC in Limpopo had not resumed talks about ANC leadership succession and the province had resolved to reject early conference and consultative conferences calls made by other party structures. Seabi also denied there was tension between himself and Msiza.
Msiza has dismissed the allegations and called on ANC members to concentrate on rebuilding the movement.
Kenny Mathivha, spokesperson for the Limpopo premier, said: “Anyone who says the premier is being controlled by anybody suffers from his own imagination. He is a consummate leader who is equal to the task.”
The Sunday Independent