Cape Town – Former African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula was on Wednesday quick to respond to the news of his predecessor Ace Magashule’s newly established political party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT).
Magashule, who was expelled from the ANC two months ago, launched his party in Soweto.
During the party’s media briefing, Magashule introduced interim leaders from each province, while Mbalula criticised Magashule on social media, stating that the “Ace Magashule chapter finally closed in the ANC”.
Ace Magashules chapter finally closed in the Anc It has being long but finally we are here.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Cde Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) August 30, 2023
Magashule’s new party is focused on advocating for transformation, equality, and an end to corruption.
Mbalula went so far as to call Magashule “umdlwembe,” meaning “a delinquent”.
The revolution will never be defeated hi midlwembe.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Cde Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) August 30, 2023
Notably, there is a history of conflict between Mbalula and Berning Ntlemeza, who was revealed as the leader of ACT in the Eastern Cape.
Mbalula had clashed with Ntlemeza during his time as Minister of Police, resulting in Ntlemeza’s dismissal as head of the Hawks, a specialised law enforcement agency.
“Ntlemeza is an old apartheid special branch who was rewarded handsomely even to the top position of heading the hawks assisted by the like of Ace Magashule. He was the master of coverups. I dismissed him for rogueness,” Mbalula said in a message on X.
Ntlemeza is an old apartheid special branch who was rewarded handsomely even to the top position of heading the hawks assisted by The likes of Ace Magashule,He was the master of coverups. I dismissed him for rogueness.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Cde Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) August 30, 2023
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu