The upcoming election of a new ANC Gauteng leadership is likely to expose tensions between supporters of former provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile and those of Premier David Makhura.
Several other provincial ANC structures also have to be recalibrated following the party’s national elective conference in December.
Mashatile was elected treasurer general of the ANC at the conference, leaving the position of Gauteng chairperson vacant.
The post will now have to be filled by convening a special provincial general congress, which will probably result in a shake-up of the entire Gauteng executive.
There is consensus that Makhura, who was Mashatile’s deputy, should replace him as chairperson. But tensions between the two will probably make filling the position of deputy chairperson and secretary acrimonious as their factions fight to have their representatives elected.
Party insiders have told the Mail & Guardian that tensions between Mashatile and Makhura arose in 2016 when Mashatile, then a member of Parliament, was appointed housing MEC in Gauteng.
Mashatile was the political principal but had to report to Makhura — his senior in government but subordinate in the party.
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