ANC NEC: Ramaphosa talks tough on party factionalism

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) has condemned the extent of factionalism that continues to plague the governing party. It’s no secret that the party has been divided and the cracks have been showing for a while now, which some political pundits have said could be the death blow to the continent’s longest serving liberation movement.

The party’s president Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the NEC statement, following what some have described as a tense meeting. The ruling party has been at odds over the contentious step aside resolution, particularly as it pertains to secretary general Ace Magashule.

Ramaphosa has warned that as the party’s NEC, they would not tolerate any acts by those within the party, who seek to cause divisions, which we know have been there for quite some time.

“The NEC warned those who wish to subvert the ANC by seeking to create diversions that we will not tolerate meddling in the internal affairs of the ANC or the use of ANC resources to undertake counter-revolutionary activities from within its structures and facilities,” Ramaphosa said.

ANC vs ANC – RET or Ramaphosa?

The party is undoubtedly at war within itself and is split between two factions – the so-called “Radical Economic Transformation” force and those that are aligned to Cyril Ramaphosa.

The “RET gang” is made up of supporters of former president Jacob Zuma – these include Ace Magashule, Supra Mahumapelo, Tony Yengeni and Mzwandile Masina, to name but a few. Other more vocal supporters include members of the Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) – led by its spokesperson Carl Niehaus.

Ramaphosa has said as the NEC, they are taking a tough stance on members of any faction within the party.

“The meeting agreed that no ANC member should associate themselves with or be involved in the so-called ‘RET Forces’. Furthermore, the NEC will not allow will not allow any member of the ANC staff to use the resources and premises of the ANC to hold meetings of the RET or any other faction,”

ANC President Cyril Ramphosa

“In terms of Rule 25.9 of the ANC Constitution on ‘Institution of disciplinary proceedings’, the NEC directs the Presenter of the ANC to investigate these matters and, if deemed necessary, immediately formulate charges for the attention of the National Disciplinary Committee”