Political commentators predict Ace Magashule's new political party will likely polarise voters - particularly in the Free State - during 2024's national and provincial elections.

Former ANC Secretary-General and ANC Chairperson of the Free State Ace Magashule’s new political party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), could cause an upset for the ruling party at polling stations in 2023.

Political analyst and lecturer at the NWU Potchefstroom campus, Prof. Kedibone Phago, added that given Magashule’s connection to the Free State – hailing from the province and having served as Premier – it will be interesting to see what inroads ACT will make during the 2024 National and Provincial Election.

Ace Magashule announces his new political party, African Congress for Transformation. ACT pic.twitter.com/o0EVw2TS8X

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) August 30, 2023

Phago says the ACT will likely polarise voters. “And that can destabilise the ANC in a very significant way, especially at the provincial level but also in many municipalities where Magashule has a lot of influence.”

Roy Jankielsohn, the Free State leader of the DA, said the stage “is now set for the already divided ANC in the province to formally split in the run-up to the election”.

“His break with the ANC leaves the already factionalised ANC in the Free State irreconcilably and formally divided now that the RET faction has another option,” Jankielsohn added.

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