Former National Assembly speaker and defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering in the North Gauteng High Court. During her trial, she expressed frustration with a prosecutor who she claimed was making gestures at her. However, no one else in the court seemed to have noticed the alleged behaviour. Mapisa-Nqakula emphasized her respect for the legal process, reminding the court that she is a South African citizen with human rights.
ANC leader Fikile Mbalula is also embroiled in a legal battle with party member Andile Lungisa, who has taken him to court over his removal from the list of candidates for mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Additionally, Eastern Cape ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi is disputing Mbalula's decision to blame him for the failure to register ANC candidates for the upcoming election. Mbalula is already involved in a civil case with another ANC member, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who alleges that he paid delegates at the 2022 elective conference to secure his position as secretary-general.
In a separate development, Julius Mkhwanazi, the deputy police commissioner in Ekurhuleni, has been fired due to pending criminal charges that pose a "reputational risk" to the city. Mkhwanazi has been suspended for 10 months and has been in and out of police cells on various charges. The decision to fire him was made by the city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, who is also a co-accused in one of Mkhwanazi's trials.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) recently held a gathering in Midrand, but the event was marred by internal conflicts and disputes over credentials. Affiliates fought over registration lists, and a faction ultimately decided not to submit its list, rendering the gathering unconstitutional. Delegates from opposing factions expressed frustration and humor during the proceedings.
During the Cosatu gathering, a delegate from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) made a notable comment about love, saying that "love is a feeling, not an action." This remark was made in response to a member of the National Education Health & Allied Workers Union who expressed love for the delegates. The NUM leader's comment was met with interest, given his self-described experience as a husband to two wives.
The internal conflicts within the ANC and Cosatu reflect broader challenges facing South African politics. Corruption allegations, power struggles, and disputes over party leadership have been ongoing themes in the country's political landscape. The cases involving Mapisa-Nqakula, Mbalula, and Mkhwanazi demonstrate the complexities and challenges of navigating these issues.
As South Africa prepares for upcoming elections, the internal conflicts within the ANC and other parties may have implications for the country's political future. The disputes over candidate lists, party leadership, and corruption allegations will likely continue to shape the country's politics in the months to come.
Key points
- Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces 13 counts of corruption and money laundering in the North Gauteng High Court.
- ANC leader Fikile Mbalula is involved in multiple legal battles with party members, including disputes over candidate lists and party leadership.
- The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) recently held a gathering marred by internal conflicts and disputes over credentials.
