The move follows mounting tensions and a breakdown in communication between the two structures as Sanco accused the ANC provincial leadership of deliberately sidelining the civic movement.

Historically an alliance partner of the ANC alongside Cosatu and the SACP, Sanco said it is left with no other choice after repeated refusals by the ANC to engage in bilateral meetings to resolve outstanding issues.

“Our observation is that not only has the ANC abandoned its leadership of the alliance, but it has also abandoned its vital role among others managing municipalities,” said Sanco Free State provincial spokesperson Thulani Klaas.

“We are more concerned by municipalities as they stand as a litmus test through which we measure the performance and composition of the state. The abandonment has led to the emboldened capture of municipalities by syndicates with pecuniary interest.”

According to Klaas, this alleged capture has allowed a network of syndicates to flourish in local government, thriving on corruption and protected by political elites.

“Graft and looting are the modus operandi of these syndicates,” he said, stressing that these criminal elements are embedded within the political fabric of the province. “The masterminds behind the syndicates are political elites and their surrogates who sustain and protect corruption unabatedly.”

Klaas accused these elites of using public resources to sustain “lavish lifestyles” while factional battles continue to rip through the ANC.

“Safe to say there is no holy faction, all work towards the demise of the Congress movement. Evidently, the situation informs the intransigence of those in power to the extent that they are unable to appreciate the gravity of their actions in the destruction of the organisation. State power is no longer a tool to advance the National Democratic Revolution but to sustain the powerful elites even at the expense of the organisation.”

He highlighted the growing disconnect between the political leadership within the ANC and governance structures, lamenting what he called the two centers of power. “The focal point has become state power because of access to resources for the advancement and maintenance of factions.”

Municipal governance across the Free State was also singled out as a major concern. Klaas said many municipalities were teetering on the brink of financial collapse. “Budgets are not funded, and the plans (IDPs) are not credible. The going concern status of the municipalities is always a concern to every auditor.”

Klaas issued a stern warning to the ANC, saying it is headed towards a “total electoral disaster”, yet its leadership remains unaware of the looming threat. “The incumbents are oblivious to this reality. The reason for this oblivion is that factionalism has possessed them to such an extent that they only see everything through the eyes of their factional inclination.”

He accused the ANC leadership of using alliance partners like Sanco as mere instruments to serve internal political agendas, and likened the political conduct of ANC leaders to a counter-revolution. He also raised concern over alleged irregularities in the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Matjhabeng Municipality.

The organisation has resolved to launch a provincial march aimed at highlighting several urgent socio-economic grievances. These include a halt to electricity tariff hikes across all municipalities, immediate action on water and sanitation issues, accelerated land redistribution for Free State residents, and a comprehensive plan to address the challenges in the public health care system.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs