The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is teetering on the brink of a major leadership shake-up after Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula reportedly warned that the provincial leadership could be axed. The threat comes after months of bitter infighting and poor performance that have left the provincial task team (PTT) struggling to assert control.
Sources say Luthuli House has grown increasingly frustrated with KZN’s ongoing factional battles, which have stalled party activities and created deep divisions among branches. The PTT, appointed to stabilise the province after the previous leadership was dissolved, has faced criticism for failing to unify the party and drive strategic initiatives.
“The national leadership is losing patience,” said an insider. “There’s serious concern that KZN is drifting, and Mbalula’s warning is a clear signal that drastic action could follow if the situation doesn’t improve.”
KZN has long been considered the ANC’s powerhouse province, and instability there is seen as a potential threat to the party’s national ambitions. Analysts warn that disbanding the PTT would be a dramatic move, likely to intensify factional rivalries and reshape the province’s political landscape ahead of key elections.
Political commentator Sipho Dlamini described the situation as “a test of Luthuli House’s authority,” noting that the national office is sending a strong message that underperformance will not be tolerated. “How this plays out in KZN will set a precedent for other provinces facing similar leadership challenges,” he added.
Locally, branches are bracing for a possible overhaul, with many members calling for clarity on leadership roles and accountability. The coming weeks could prove decisive, either forcing the PTT to regain credibility or triggering a radical restructuring of KZN ANC’s leadership.
With the stakes high and tensions mounting, all eyes are on KwaZulu-Natal as the ANC navigates one of its most critical internal crises in recent years.