It seems to be no longer a question of if, but rather when, a new political party will emerge. All Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa need is a name.
The African National Congress, meanwhile, has promised to discipline Lekota and Mluleki George and said while it didn’t object to the formation of a new entity, it would not stand for dissidents using the party’s resources and structures.
What is surprising is that the pair have not yet resigned. There can be no turning back now, so perhaps they are waiting to see what kind of punishment the ruling party will mete out. They can then play the role of the aggrieved, and promptly produce their letters of resignation.
Most of the new party’s support is likely to come from disillusioned ANC members, so perhaps the men have been caught working the phones late into the night at Luthuli House.
Former Gauteng premier Shilowa wasted no time in tendering his resignation and is now a free agent, ready and willing to serve the new party.
The ANC continues to insist that there are no major fault lines and say that rather than a split, we are merely seeing a splinter.
Respected political analyst Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, says the ANC is not likely to lose sleep over the fracas. He says the few thousand who turned up for a meeting did not a party make, and that at least half-a-million votes are required for a seat in Parliament.
“Politics is going to get rough if people break away,” said Friedman.
“I think Jacob Zuma and the people around him have made a clear strategic calculation … to keep [ousted former president Thabo] Mbeki and the senior people around him [Mbeki] in the ANC,” he said.
“I think that if Lekota is going to move out of the ANC, then he [Zuma] does not want to have a relationship with him … They are trying to get him [Lekota] to leave.”
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
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Luke Watson and controversy seem to be perennial bedfellows. This week, reports emerged of Watson having been less than kind about the sport he plays. He allegedly said that “the problem with South African rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen”, and that he felt like vomiting on the Springbok emblem. Nauseating stuff indeed. |
Most-read stories
October 9 to 15
1. The big split: Tensions simmer in rebel camp
The new political formation planned by former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota is off to a rocky start with supporters at odds over whether to stay and fight from within the ANC.
2. ‘Terror Lekota is a sore loser’
Terror Lekota is a sore loser who is attempting to create a breakaway party from the ANC because he cannot cope with losing his leadership position, said ANC executive committee member and Minister of Arts and Culture Pallo Jordan this week.
3. Malema lashes out at Lekota
The African National Congress Youth League is not concerned by the possible formation of a “right-wing” political party by disgruntled ANC members, its president, Julius Malema, said on Thursday.
4. No licence to split, warns ANC
The African National Congress (ANC) warned its members on Monday against “engaging in factional activity” following a meeting between treasurer general Mathews Phosa and former chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota.
5. Zuma lashes out at ANC ‘charlatans’
The African National Congress (ANC) intends to take “radical action” against suspended long-time comrade Mosiuoa Lekota, party president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
6. Townships condemn feuding, divided ANC
In the worst political crisis since the end of apartheid 14 years ago, the African National Congress (ANC) is tearing itself apart.
7. Storm erupts around Luke Watson
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) has greeted with shock statements attributed to Luke Watson regarding South African rugby, his Springbok teammates and the national jersey.
8. Lekota spurns ANC overtures
African National Congress (ANC) veteran Mosiuoa Lekota, who has announced the possibility of a breakaway political party, did not show up for a meeting with ANC leaders on Thursday.
9. Zille challenges Tutu on ‘reckless’ remarks
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille is to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu to discuss his stated intention not to vote in next year’s elections.
10. Shilowa throws lot in with Lekota
Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa said on Wednesday he would be throwing his lot in with former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota.