Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Des Erasmus
Published on 2024-02-27 09:59:28
Pietermaritzburg-based ANC member of the provincial legislature (MPL) and former deputy mayor of the city, Mervyn Dirks, has recently made headlines for his association with former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, resulting in his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC). Dirks was seen wearing MK party colors at a rally in Maqongqo, Pietermaritzburg, which led to his termination from the ruling party.
The expulsion letter, delivered by ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, cited Dirks’ alignment with another political party as a violation of the ANC constitution. This marked the first time a prominent ANC member had been expelled for affiliating with a splinter organization within the party. Previously, Dirks had been transferred from the ANC National Assembly caucus to the KZN Provincial Legislature due to conflicts with the ruling party’s leadership.
Dirks’ history within the ANC has been controversial, with incidents dating back to his time as an ANC MP in Cape Town. Accusations of insulting and threatening a fellow ANC MP, Thozama Mantashe, led to an altercation in the National Assembly. Additionally, Dirks was seen flipping off an opposition party MP during a sitting, which resulted in his suspension and recall as a representative on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa).
Further controversy arose when Dirks called for an investigation into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s alleged use of government funds to finance internal ANC elections. This action led to his suspension by the ANC in parliament. Despite these incidents, Dirks remained defiant, stating his commitment to the ANC but rejecting what he calls the “Ramaphosa ANC” and its neoliberal policies.
In response to his expulsion, Dirks maintained his allegiance to the ANC while expressing support for the MK party, vowing to work towards defeating the current ANC leadership in the upcoming elections. Although ANC provincial spokesperson Mafika Mndebele declined to comment on Dirks’ dismissal, he emphasized the party’s firm stance against members collaborating with rival political entities.
As the political landscape in South Africa continues to evolve, the expulsion of a prominent ANC member like Mervyn Dirks highlights the internal tensions and divisions within the ruling party. The repercussions of his association with the MK party and his outspoken criticism of the current ANC leadership underscore the challenges faced by the party as it navigates internal dissent and external pressures.
This expulsion serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics within the ANC and the broader political landscape in South Africa, where loyalty to the party and allegiance to its values are constantly tested and scrutinized. Dirks’ departure from the ANC signals a shift in the party’s internal dynamics and raises questions about its ability to maintain unity and coherence in the face of diverging ideologies and interests.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
