ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has issued a stern warning to party members, reading them the “riot act” for publicly discussing the organization’s internal problems, which he labeled as acts of ill-discipline. However, he stated that disciplinary action would not be taken against those speaking out—”at least not just yet.”
The warning comes amid growing public friction within the ruling party and stands in contrast to a strongly worded statement issued just over a week ago that threatened disciplinary action against two specific ANC members.
Mbalula, speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, emphasized the party’s seriousness about enforcing unity and discipline. He firmly delineated the party’s communication hierarchy, stating, “The president is the policy face of the organization. The secretary general is the chief spokesperson and the national spokesperson is the official media line.”
He characterized public contradictions, unauthorized statements, and social media misconduct as “acts of defiance, not freedom,” that will “attract consequences.”
This push for a unified public front coincides with rising frustration from South Africans directed at the party’s leadership. The transcript includes criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently posed pointed questions about inequality during a national convention.
“Why do so many people live in abject poverty and so few live lives of opulence?” Ramaphosa asked. “Why after decades of democracy are the prospects of a white child so much better than those of a black child?”
For many citizens, the irony of the president asking these questions was lost. One South African interviewed responded with exasperation: “As a president, you shouldn’t be asking ethical questions instead providing solutions… It’s ridiculous and it’s annoying for many South Africans.”
The sentiment was echoed by ANC veteran Naledi Pandor, who over the weekend bemoaned the party’s “lack of leadership,” stating, “There is nothing worse in an organization or in a country than a leader who has no solution.”
In a notable move, Mbalula defended Pandor, distinguishing her comments from other cases. He stated that “Sister Naledi was reinforcing ANC policy on a public platform,” suggesting her criticisms were aligned with the party’s stated values.
This contrasts with the ANC’s recent criticism of members Sindiso Magaqa and Malusi Gigaba, who were reprimanded for speaking publicly at a tombstone unveiling and in a newspaper interview, respectively. For now, Mbalula says the pair are only being reprimanded, signaling a period of warning before potential stricter disciplinary measures are enforced.
The events highlight the ANC’s struggle to manage internal dissent and public criticism as it grapples with profound national challenges and growing impatience from the electorate.