Lungani Zungu
The ANC might not be able to contest a string of wards in the upcoming local government elections as it battles to deal with its financial woes.
This is yet another indication of how deep the ANC’s financial crisis is, with the country’s ruling party resorting to an online crowdsourcing campaign just to stay afloat.
The cash-strapped party failed to meet the last week’s deadline to submit its list of candidates in 35 municipalities, following the strike of party employees who had not been paid for three months in a row.
The ANC failed to register 43 candidates in Gauteng, including areas such as the Mapetla in Soweto, Lenasia, and West Rand, according to the Sunday Times.
The ruling party also failed to register its candidates in KZN – where the party enjoys massive support.
This is the first time in the 109 year history of the party the ANC has struggled to pay the IEC to field its candidates in the elections.
The ANC is now pinning its hopes on the ConCourt to postpone the elections that had initially been set for 27 October.
The apex court is yet to make a ruling.
The IEC asked the ConCourt to postpone the elections until next February due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2016, the ANC lost three metros – Nelson Mandela Bay, City of Tshwane and Johannesburg, during the municipal elections when Jacob Zuma was at the helm of the party.
But the party was able to lead the City of Johannesburg through a coalition government.
Now, the party’s financial setbacks might dash their dream of winning back the lost turf.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe told Scrolla.Africa its failure to meet the IEC deadline was due to administrative issues and not the no-payment of staff.
But it is public knowledge that party workers went on strike last week over the non-payment of salaries for three months.
The strike came when the party was in a race against time to submit the candidates’ list last week.
Jessie Duarte, ANC Deputy secretary-general, admitted the party was struggling financially.
She said this was a result of prominent donors ditching the party after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Political Party Funding Act.
This act forces political parties to reveal their donors.
The ANC has gone on an online crowdfunding campaign – asking people to donate money into its Nedbank account to stay afloat.
