Fikile Mbalula, the African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general, has warned that the cadre deployment of incompetent individuals in government will cease. He stated that the party's renewal will focus on appointing only the crème de la crème to ensure effective public service delivery.

He said this was how incompetence and poor performance will be dealt with in the Free State. This will also be applied in other provinces where the municipalities led by the ANC are struggling.

Mbalula was addressing the media following the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at the weekend in the Free State.

The meeting focused on the state of the organisation in the province, reviewing governance, and service delivery matters.

Mbalula mentioned that a skills audit of all senior municipal managers in the Free State was also being conducted to ensure that qualified and competent individuals occupy key positions in municipalities.

“The ANC will not tolerate cadre deployment that prioritises political connections over competence. Only those who can effectively deliver services will be retained or appointed.

“The Local Government Interventions Task Team will also be deployed to assist struggling municipalities, provide technical support, and intervene where urgent action is needed,” he said.

The task team will focus on priority municipalities where service delivery failures have had the greatest impact on communities.

Last month, IOL and Pretoria News reported that a senior official, Sam Makhubu, at the Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality in the Free State allegedly unlawfully signed an R27 million acknowledgment of debt to a company owned by his cousin.

Mbalula said corruption was one of the things that hindered the municipality from becoming the best.

He stated that the ANC has embarked on a comprehensive renewal programme aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening the organisation, and ensuring that it remains a reliable and effective force for change in South Africa.

This renewal process is a direct response to the challenges facing the movement, including declining public trust, inefficiencies in governance, and the need to realign the ANC with the aspirations of the people.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics