ANC KZN tightens grip on coalition talks, bars regions from independent negotiations

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has centralised control of coalition negotiations, barring regional structures from engaging other political parties or entering into agreements without provincial leadership approval.

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has barred its regional structures from independently engaging other political parties in coalition negotiations, insisting that all discussions and agreements must first be authorised by the provincial leadership.

The directive comes as political parties position themselves for possible coalition governments following the November 4 local government elections, with provisional results pointing to hung councils in several KwaZulu-Natal municipalities.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is expected to announce the final election results on Sunday, November 8, after completing the counting, verification and objections processes. The commission has until November 11 to declare the results, within the prescribed seven-day period following election day.

The final results will establish the balance of power in municipalities where no political party has secured an outright majority, paving the way for coalition negotiations.

In a directive issued on Friday, November 6, ANC provincial coordinator James Nxumalo instructed all regional coordinators that the province would retain sole responsibility for coalition engagements and negotiations.

The instruction means regional structures cannot independently approach other political formations, make commitments or enter into agreements on behalf of the party without an explicit mandate from the provincial leadership.

“No Region is authorised to make commitments, enter into agreements, or represent the organisation in any coalition engagement without an explicit mandate from the Province,” the directive stated.

Nxumalo said all coalition engagements would be guided by a clear provincial mandate and warned regional structures against initiating discussions with other political formations without authorisation.

The directive also cautioned regional coordinators that the election results had not yet been formally declared and that it was therefore premature to begin coalition discussions or draw conclusions about possible arrangements.

“Regions are further cautioned that the electoral results have not yet been formally declared. It is therefore premature to initiate any discussions or draw conclusions regarding potential coalition arrangements,” Nxumalo said.

The instruction follows comments by ANC Moses Mabhida regional coordinator Zet Luzipho, who previously told IOL that the party was prepared to work with any political formation, provided coalition arrangements were guided by its national and provincial leadership.

Luzipho said the ANC would approach possible coalition arrangements in line with guidance from its leadership, adding that the party was committed to working for communities regardless of their political affiliation.

Coalition negotiations have become a major issue following the November 4 local government elections, with political parties outlining the conditions under which they would be prepared to work with potential partners.

As IOL reported, parties have been weighing up possible coalition arrangements while awaiting the final results to establish the balance of power in hung municipalities.

The MK Party has indicated that it would only consider partnerships with parties that share its political principles and vision for governance, while other formations have also raised conditions around service delivery, corruption and political stability.

Nxumalo instructed ANC regional structures to exercise discipline and restraint and ensure that the provincial directive was strictly followed.