“ANC Free State is grossly disappointed at the posture Cde Jackson Mthembu has taken on complex political issues,” spokesperson Thabo Meeko said.

“Defining ourselves outside the collective is therefore a serious offence and [Mthembu] must account for these reckless utterances.”

On Sunday, City Press reported that Mthembu said the ANC's current leadership had "reduced the governing party to something that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth".

"Why should we not step down, given that we have messed up? All these things happened under our watch," Mthembu was quoted as saying.

Meeko said Mthembu had not only betrayed the party, but also those “forces” who expected him to ensure Parliament delivered on the party’s manifesto.

On Sunday, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told News24 that the NEC could not resign because it was elected by, and was accountable to, ANC branches.

"If it feels in its own assessment that it has not provided leadership, it must account to the membership first," he said.

The party’s poor performance in the August 3 local government elections had caused internal tension after it lost three key metros: Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Nelson Mandela Bay. Some members felt President Jacob Zuma was responsible for the loss of support.

There have been further disputes among party members about the NPA's decision to charge Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan with fraud.

- News24.com