“Unprecedented Interference”: Buffalo City ANC Leadership in Turmoil Over Dismissal Fallout

A fierce political storm is brewing in Buffalo City, and this time, it’s not between opposition parties — it’s within the ANC itself.

The ruling party’s Walter Sisulu branch in Ward 29 has come out guns blazing, accusing the Eastern Cape ANC provincial leadership of crossing a line in the ongoing row over the dismissal of mayoral committee member Graham Lottering. At the heart of the drama is an alleged overstep by provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi — and a growing call for the ANC to respect the line between political oversight and executive power.

Mayor’s move sparks a revolt

On 25 July, Buffalo City metro mayor Princess Faku removed Lottering from her mayoral committee, citing alleged interference in the work of the municipal directorate responsible for sport, recreation and community development. According to her letter of dismissal, his actions contravened provisions of the Municipal Systems Act.

But the plot thickened when Ngcukayitobi reportedly instructed Faku — in writing — to reverse the dismissal. That move has now triggered open rebellion from ANC branch structures.

“This is not how the ANC works”

Branch secretary Monde Tshalanga did not mince words. In a strongly worded statement, he called Ngcukayitobi’s actions “shocking” and “unlawful,” accusing him of undermining the very protocols that have historically guided the ANC’s relationship with government.

“It is unprecedented that the ANC would issue an instruction to a government institution,” said Tshalanga. “The political instruction by the provincial secretary to the executive mayor is unlawful political interference… and contravenes the established organisational protocols.”

Tshalanga insists that while the ANC deploys leaders into government, it does not have the authority to interfere in the day-to-day running of state institutions. “The ANC has managed the separation between the party and the state well over the years,” he added. “What we are seeing now risks eroding that distinction.”

Internal faction battles fuel the fire

This isn’t just about one letter or one dismissal. Buffalo City’s ANC structures are already deeply divided. One faction backs Mayor Faku, who also serves as regional chair, while the other supports regional secretary Antonio Carelse. This internal power struggle is now playing out in full public view, with governance decisions becoming battlegrounds for factional interests.

Political analysts say these tensions are emblematic of a broader identity crisis in the ANC — one that dates back to its struggle-era evolution into a modern governing party. As the party grapples with balancing loyalty, deployment, and accountability, cracks are becoming harder to paper over.

Public reaction: “Sort your house out”

Local sentiment has grown increasingly weary of the ANC’s internal drama spilling into governance. On social media, residents of Buffalo City have voiced frustration.

“These people are fighting over positions while service delivery suffers,” wrote one user.
“ANC must sort its house out. We’re tired of being spectators in power struggles,” another commented.

A test for party-state boundaries

At the heart of this political showdown is a fundamental question: where does the ANC’s power end and the government’s autonomy begin?

“The party-state relationship needs sound, rational management to protect the integrity and independence of both the political organisation and the state,” said Tshalanga. He warned that undermining these boundaries could not only weaken local governance but also deepen public distrust in political leadership.

What Next?

As the ANC gears up for 2026’s municipal elections, controversies like these could come at a heavy cost. Buffalo City’s internal implosion is more than a spat — it’s a test of how seriously the ruling party takes its own principles of governance, transparency, and internal democracy.

For now, all eyes are on how the provincial leadership responds — and whether Mayor Faku will stand firm or fold under pressure.

Source:Citizen Online 

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