ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula
By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, led a significant march in Tshwane on Friday, blaming Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille for alleged failures in service delivery across the city. Organised by the ANC, the march sought to address critical community concerns, push for transformative policies to foster social justice, and resolve service delivery issues that have affected Tshwane residents for years.
The ANC stated, “The People’s Mandate has been submitted to and signed by Tshwane’s Executive Mayor. This mandate highlights the ANC’s commitment to addressing community concerns and advancing transformative policies for social justice, economic equity, and improved service delivery. Amidst rising socio-economic challenges, the walk reflects the ANC’s dedication to accountability and the aspirations of ordinary South Africans.”
During his address, Mbalula spoke of the ANC’s dedication to tackling service delivery issues in Tshwane, where he claimed Zille’s policies under the DA have contributed to declining municipal services, economic inequality, and community dissatisfaction. He underscored the ANC’s intention to restore good governance and fulfil the needs of residents who have long been demanding a change.
Mbalula’s Message to Zille and the DA
Mbalula emphasised that the ANC’s choice to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) was driven by a commitment to national stability. However, he pointed out that the DA, under Zille’s influence, has become an obstacle to achieving essential reforms in local governance, particularly in Tshwane. “We chose the GNU for the stability of our country. Helen Zille and those who support her must know that we will continue to work in the interest of South Africans,” Mbalula stated firmly. He highlighted that despite no political party winning an outright majority in the last elections, the ANC remains the largest political entity in South Africa, entrusted with the responsibility of stabilising the government.
Addressing ANC members and supporters, Mbalula called for unity and resilience, encouraging his comrades to step out of their offices and engage directly with the community to address their concerns. “We need our comrades in Tshwane to come out of their offices and go all out to serve their people. We want good governance back in Tshwane, down to the free WiFi we rolled out when the ANC led this city,” Mbalula affirmed.
Addressing Community Concerns and Economic Equity
The ANC Secretary General detailed the urgent need to address economic inequalities exacerbated by Zille’s policies and the DA’s governance style in Tshwane. He asserted that small businesses, particularly in townships, should prioritise local ownership, and ANC leaders are focused on making these reforms a reality. “As the ANC, we believe that it is about time that small businesses, especially in our townships, should prioritise local (South African) ownership,” Mbalula declared, addressing the crowd gathered outside Tshwane House.
Mbalula also stressed the importance of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which he vowed the ANC would fight to sustain. He stated that the EPWP is a key component in reducing unemployment and improving the quality of life for ordinary South Africans. According to Mbalula, the ANC remains committed to putting the people’s interests first, a value he insisted that all ANC leaders and members should embody.
Rising Concerns Over Spaza Shops and Food Safety
One of the central issues Mbalula addressed during the march was the growing crisis of illegal spaza shops selling expired or contaminated food products, which has been a significant public health concern in various parts of Gauteng. Mbalula announced that the government, under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s direction, is already working with health agencies, including the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, to tackle the issue of food safety in communities.
“This morning, the president said to me as I came to this march, ‘We are on track; we are engaging the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in terms of this poisonous thing that is eating up the communities,’” Mbalula relayed. He emphasised the urgency for the government to act decisively, proposing the possible involvement of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist the police in closing down spaza shops selling expired goods.
Mbalula did not hold back in his comments, suggesting that if the government does not enforce strict regulations, citizens might be forced to take matters into their own hands, potentially leading to chaos and lawlessness. “Government must put its foot down. If it means we must get the soldiers out of the barracks to reinforce the police on the ground, let that be,” he asserted.
Call for Accountability from the Government of National Unity
The ANC march in Tshwane highlighted cracks within the GNU, with Mbalula openly criticising Zille’s role and her approach to governance, which he claimed hinders the ANC’s efforts to deliver social justice and economic equity to the people. According to Mbalula, the ANC entered into the GNU with transparency and a commitment to South African interests, not as a pact with the DA. He accused Zille of spreading misinformation, stating that her claims about the DA’s role in protecting President Ramaphosa from other political forces are baseless.
“There is a conflict in Zille’s soul. She is seeking to manage by way of dropping snippets,” Mbalula remarked. He further accused the DA of psychological warfare, asserting that Zille’s portrayal of the ANC-DA relationship does not reflect the GNU’s true purpose.
Reaction from the ANC Youth and Women’s Leagues
The ANC Youth League President, Collen Malatji, joined Mbalula at the march, demanding that the Department of Small Business Development act swiftly to resolve the spaza shop crisis and ensure food safety. Malatji hinted at future demonstrations, stating that the ANC’s next march could lead to Union Buildings, where they would directly address President Ramaphosa on pressing issues like food security, unemployment, and economic stability.
The ANC Women’s League, represented by its Secretary General, Nokuthula Nqaba, called for a state of emergency in response to the alarming rise in food poisoning cases allegedly linked to illegal spaza shops. “This is not just a public health crisis; it is a call for us to act with both urgency and compassion,” Nqaba stated, adding that their demands include a thorough investigation, public awareness campaigns, and support for affected families.
ANC’s Critique of DA Policies and Zille’s Influence
Mbalula’s statements on Friday have fuelled ongoing tensions within the GNU, with the ANC and DA continuing to clash over policies and governance strategies. He accused Zille of “trafficking lies” and warned that her approach to governance is detrimental to the unity that the GNU aims to uphold. According to Mbalula, the ANC’s decision to join the GNU was not a concession to the DA but rather a commitment to maintain stability in South Africa.
“The attack on Helen Zille comes from lies trafficking by her, and if we don’t respond to that, then it becomes a reality in the mind of the people,” Mbalula said, dismissing Zille’s claims as a “false narrative.” He also made it clear that if the DA decides to leave the GNU, the coalition government would continue to function effectively without their involvement.