Fikile Mbalula is expected to announce changes in the portfolio committees that are chaired by ANC members.
Image: Facebook / Fikile Mbalula
The ANC is expected to reshuffle portfolio committee chairpersons in what has been described as a strategic move by ANC Secretary-General (SG) Fikile Mbalula to reduce Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s influence among party portfolio committee chairpersons in Parliament ahead of the party’s elective conference next year.
A source close to the SG’s office leaked an internal memo, which was apparently sent to the ANC caucus leadership in Parliament, to inform members about the meeting that will be addressed by Mbalula.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 10am on Thursday, according to the memo.
The source said that although it is common to move around or remove chairpersons and replace them with others, this particular move is politically motivated and stems from the party's upcoming conference. The implication is that Mbalula is using this opportunity to replace individuals suspected of aligning with Mashatile.
Mbalula and Mashatile are expected to go head to head for the party’s presidency in next year’s conference.
The source said although there may be other candidates, the focus may be on two because of their seniority in the party.
They stated that historically, the president of the party comes from within the party’s top six structure, particularly the deputy president or secretary-general.
“The deployment always comes with benefits and patronage is the keyword in today’s politics. If you want me to support your political campaign, you must reward me with a better paying position and being a chairperson of a portfolio comes with nice perks,” said the source.
On who is responsible for appointment of portfolio committee chairpersons, the source said that although there would be consultations, final powers lie with the SG as the ‘chief executive officer’ of the organisation.
A member of Parliament from the opposition, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he would not be surprised if there are such changes because he has noticed back and forth meetings of the ANC caucus.
“I haven't heard anything but there has been a lot of movement here with ANC members meeting in groups, so I suspected that something could be coming,” said the member.
Political analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, said knowing the history of the ANC of using state resources for their own political support, he would not be surprised if the reshuffle takes place and turn out to be those people that are suspected to be aligned to a certain faction.
“Although not yet confirmed, it won’t be surprising if it happens and turns out to be favouring a particular faction; this party has a history of that,” said Breakfast.
The ANC National Spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, and Mbalula had not yet responded to questions at the time of publishing.
With Cyril Ramaphosa in his last term as the party president, many names have been mentioned as potential successors. Apart from Mashatile, who by virtue of being a deputy president is expected to be nominated, Mbalula, Senzo Mchunu, and businessman Patrice Motsepe have been mentioned as having interests in the party’s highest position.