Key ANC figures in Gauteng say the provincial executive committee (PEC) is vigilant in the face of attempts to sow discord within its structures ahead of the 2027 national conference through a clandestine “divide and conquer” strategy.
After several failed attempts to bring down the PEC, which have so far all failed, Sunday World has heard that a new trick was to pit provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi against secretary Thembinkosi Nciza.
Lesufi was aware of these moves, according to a source with intimate knowledge, and he was warned that if he did not tone down on appearing to defy Luthuli House, he could end up being collateral damage in the offensive directed at Nciza, who has been dubbed “arrogant.”
But party insiders warned detractors seeking leadership changes in the province to pursue legitimate, democratic avenues instead of resorting to divisive tactics. They believe that forces of the so-called
“Project2027” faction, which backs ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, are sponsoring the offensive.
According to sources, the faction sees Gauteng structures as unduly independent and a possible barrier to their interests at the upcoming party national conference. But our informants in Gauteng say even the latest attempts would also fall flat, for the train has long left the station.
“The revolution is not a bunch of roses, and the sustained attacks on Gauteng were to be expected given our refusal to be bullied, and the person behind this is very clumsy,” said one mole.
“Only fools will believe planted narratives that the attack is not against this one and not that one. The reality is that the divide-and-conquer strategy won’t work, as the mission is to destroy the entire Gauteng leadership, not to divide us.
“We are Gautengers, and we know how to fight. Fighting us in the clumsy manner that some are doing now is simply not going to work. That’s why we don’t generate as much noise as our opponents do.”
Another source said the method used was not new and has been tried multiple times with dismal results.
“In Ekurhuleni, they have attempted to make TK the bogeyman. The ANC Youth League made a clumsy attempt to attack our head of elections, Lebogang Maile, and now they are targeting our chair, Panya-panya (Lesufi).
“Everything they’ve tried doesn’t seem to work, leaving them stressed and losing their minds. They are desperate. Their next move will be to mobilise against us, leading to the next NEC meeting. However, as usual, they will commit schoolboy errors, which will further escalate their frustrations.”
One Gauteng leader said the only way for those wanting to see the backside of Lesufi and Nciza was to lobby hard for the next provincial conference and put strong candidates forward to contest them.
Any attempt to use shortcuts, they said, would simply expose the aggressors and increase the popularity of Gauteng ANC leaders among the ANC membership, which is notorious for sympathising with “victims.”
