The ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary-general, Bheki Mtolo, has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa and secretary-general Fikile Mbalula to take responsibility for the party’s dismal performance in the May 29 national and provincial elections. However, his remarks have sparked controversy and skepticism, with many questioning his own accountability in the province’s collapse.
Mtolo’s assertion that responsibility for the ANC’s historic loss of its majority should begin at the top has merit. For the first time since South Africa’s democratic transition, the ANC failed to secure enough support to govern alone, receiving only 40% of the vote nationally.
“ANC nationally got 40%, meaning the NEC lost the country by 40%. The NEC led by Ramaphosa and Mbalula lost the country to that. They must take that responsibility. Duma [chairperson] and I are taking full responsibility for losing the province to 17%,” Mtolo stated.
His remarks imply that the ANC’s Top 7 leadership, particularly Ramaphosa and Mbalula, must justify why they should remain in power after presiding over such a significant defeat. While Mtolo’s critique may hold truth, his credibility is undermined by his own inconsistent positions and the province’s sharp electoral decline under his leadership.
Critics note that Mtolo previously lauded Ramaphosa’s leadership and even reversed his stance on the president’s controversial Phala Phala farm scandal. Initially critical, Mtolo later softened his tone, raising concerns about his reliability as a principled voice.
Now, as the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal leadership faces potential disbandment, Mtolo’s sudden finger-pointing appears opportunistic. His leadership in the province, once the party’s stronghold, has come under fire after the ANC’s support plummeted to just 17%.
The broader issue lies within the ANC’s internal dynamics, which Mtolo’s statements highlight. The party’s branches are unlikely to rally behind his call, given his flip-flopping and the lingering perception of factionalism. Moreover, the rise of Jacob Zuma’s breakaway uMkhonto weSizwe Party and the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest the 2026 local government elections present additional challenges.
For the ANC, introspection and unity are critical to regaining its footing. Leadership accountability, while necessary, risks being overshadowed by factional blame games. As Mtolo’s criticism demonstrates, finger-pointing alone will do little to help the party prepare for its uphill battle in the years ahead.