Power battle hits ANC in metro

Divisions in party’s Nelson Mandela Bay caucus lead to confusion on policy

The ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay has, particularly over the past three months, become a shadow of its former self – with its representatives fumbling about like a leaderless pack.

This was illustrated this week as the party released statement after statement, each one contradicting the other.

Regional spokesman Gift Ngqondi announced the ANC caucus would pursue a motion for a vote of no confidence in Bay mayor Athol Trollip.

Caucus leader Bicks Ndoni, who was at the press briefing where the party’s plans were revealed, later rubbished Ngqondi’s statement, saying only he and members of the party’s regional task team could speak on matters involving the ANC.

Days later, regional task team coordinator Beza Ntshona sent out a scathing statement, saying only he had the delegated authority to pronounce on the ANC’s official position on all matters in the metro.

For those of you scratching your heads, wondering who really is in charge of the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay, you are not alone.

Even members of the ANC caucus are confused, unsure of whom to follow and what strategies the 50 ANC councillors should apply to outsmart the coalition government.

On paper, Ndoni is the leader of the official opposition in council, with Litho Suka as chief whip.

In reality, Andile Lungisa is the man setting the ANC’s agenda and, at times, drives motions on behalf of the party.

This week, Ndoni abdicated his duty of responding to Trollip’s speech in the council and, instead, it was Lungisa who spoke on behalf of the party.

After Tuesday’s council meeting was over, Lungisa told a comrade over the phone – in the presence of a Weekend Post reporter – that the coalition government had collapsed.

Asked by DA councillor Nqaba Bhanga – who also overheard the conversation – why he had not been truthful, Lungisa replied, “You have to keep these oldies happy”, and then burst out laughing.

The ANC did not table a motion of no confidence in Trollip on Tuesday, and the meeting proceeded relatively smoothly, with the coalition still intact.

If ANC insiders are to be believed, Lungisa, who wants to be regional chairman of the ANC, is running the show as there is a push within ANC circles for younger leaders to take charge.

“We are in trouble; the ship is sinking,” one ANC councillor said.

“We are talking different languages. Some are saying things in the media that they shouldn’t.

“They must limit themselves in the media because they are confusing people”.

Another councillor said there were deep divisions within the ANC caucus, with one faction following Lungisa and another slate behind councillor Andile Mfunda, while the rest were unsure which way to turn.

The tensions in the caucus spilt over into the council this week when Ndoni pointed at Mfunda and told him to shut up when he tried to add his voice to a debate about DA councillor Francois Greyling, who was accused of being drunk in the chambers.

“We lost the metro because we hate each other. Jealousy is a problem in the ANC. It is a mess. We might as well give up,” a third councillor said.

A fourth councillor said caucus meetings descended into chaos and almost no direction was given.

“This is all about the regional conference. People are fighting for positions.”

A fifth councillor labelled the “rise” of Lungisa as a revolution. “There is a revolution happening. It is led by Lungisa, and unfortunately he knows nothing about this region.

“He has a lot of support and it is really sad. Maybe branches feel old people have failed.”