Political analyst at the North West University, Professor Andre Duvenhage, says he expects a fight back from Supra Mahumapelo, following his five-year suspension from the ANC.
Mahumapelo and the acting provincial secretary of the ANC Women’s League, Bitsa Lenkopane, were suspended from the governing party yesterday. They were both found guilty of misconduct for convening a parallel meeting to that of the Interim Provincial Committee in Mareetsane near Mahikeng last year.
Duvenhage says he foresees Mahumapelo and the so-called RET forces in the ANC forming a breakaway party from the ANC.
“He’s going to fight back, he’s going to mobilise. I think, maybe a stronger scenario at this point is a break-away from the ANC. I think the room and the space, for the RET group is becoming smaller and smaller. And as a result of that, the option for them jumping ship is becoming bigger and bigger,” says Duvenhage.
In the video below, Supra Mahumapelo suspended:
Political analyst, Barry Hanyane, believes Mahumapelo’s influence within the provincial ANC ranks has come to an end.
“The former Premier has been put under the bus; even if he were to appeal it is pretty much the end of his influence in the province. Even if he were to appeal, for a mere fact that he’s been cast out as someone who’s rebellious and someone where perhaps would want to revive suspended for five years from the ANC. I see a little room really of him maneuvering. Whether there’s an appeal or not, it spells a death knell for his political career especially in his province,” says Hanyane.
Mahumapelo is expected to hold a press briefing on Thursday afternoon:
ANC alliance partners in the North West say they hope other members of the party will learn from Mahumapelo’s suspension that no one is above the party.
