ANC's Internal Struggle: The Battle Over Election Lists Intensifies

In a crucial gathering at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, the senior officials of the African National Congress (ANC) are engaged in a pivotal showdown that could shape the future trajectory of the party. The immediate agenda is to finalize the party's candidates for the upcoming elections, but beneath the surface churns a deeper crisis of integrity and moral standing.

The turbulence within the ANC is not a straightforward factional skirmish; rather, it amalgamates various elements of the party's structure, infusing it with complexities around issues of corruption and the implications of such on the eligibility of its members for election lists. This unfolding drama was given additional weight as Chief Justice Raymond Zondo recently had to refute a misleading report from City Press concerning Minister Gwede Mantashe, a key figure in the broader narrative of governance and ethical conduct within the ruling party.

Justice Zondo was unequivocal in correcting the public record, stating that any suggestion that Mantashe had successfully challenged the damaging findings of the State Capture Commission was patently false. Contrary to the assertions of the media report, no review applications against the Commission's report have been resolved to date, leaving such allegations still very much a matter of public concern and legal scrutiny.

The ANC Integrity Commission, under the leadership of Rev Frank Chikane, has taken a firm stance, proposing that those individuals named in the Commission's documentation as guilty of abuses of power, neglect of duty, and corruption should be barred from representing the party in official capacities, particularly on election lists. With deadline pressure from the Electoral Commission looming, the ANC must settle on a concrete position.

At the heart of the ANC's conundrum are significant figures like Dr Zweli Mkhize, embroiled in controversy such as the Digital Vibes scandal but still wielding considerable influence within the party. Reports by seasoned journalists like Nonkululeko Njilo and Marianne Merten shine a light on the internal mechanisms of the ANC's Integrity Commission and Parliamentary procedures, yet they also underscore a certain ambiguity – the tension between perceived corruption and formal legal charges.

This ambiguity has led to a split within ANC ranks; factions within the party have divergent views on whether the taint of corruption alone is sufficient cause for sidelining members. The ANC's initial robust stance on corruption has softened over time, with the National Executive Committee interpreting 'stepping aside' rules more leniently – favoring due legal process over immediate and possibly preemptive measures.

Despite the intricacies of the judicial vs. legal evidence procedures, the ANC Veterans’ League and other party organs like the Women’s and Youth League are at loggerheads, reflecting contrasting interpretations of the party's ethos and the cultural underpinnings of loyalty. Figures such as Mantashe, Kodwa, and Mokonyane invoke the language of comradeship in defense, while the public, as evidenced by opinion polls, seem increasingly disillusioned with the party.

The ANC's internal resolution of these issues will carry significant weight, as the election outcome is projected to be the worst in the party’s history. In this climate, the importance of securing a favorable position on the election list cannot be overstated, ensuring political office and influence within the ANC's future structure.

The coming days are poised to witness an intense debate within one of South Africa's most storied political institutions – a debate that will likely have far-reaching implications for the ANC's credibility, representation, and ultimately, leadership.