JOHANNESBURG – ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula admitted Monday that his party’s current KwaZulu-Natal leadership is inadequately equipped to counter Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, comparing it to “fighting a Ferrari with a Conquest.”

Speaking after a National Working Committee meeting in Boksburg, Mbalula imposed a media gag order on provincial leaders while hinting at possible dissolution of both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provincial executive committees following poor election performance.

The ANC suffered significant losses in the May 29 elections, securing only 17% support in KwaZulu-Natal and 45% in Gauteng. Nationally, the party’s support dropped to 40%, forcing the formation of a Government of National Unity.

“We are not going to surrender the ANC to anyone,” Mbalula declared, dismissing recent criticism from KZN provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, who blamed President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mbalula for the electoral decline.

The secretary-general warned provincial leaders against speaking to media about internal matters, threatening disciplinary action against those who defy his directive. “Anyone who speaks after me should wear a Mzeke Mzeke,” he said.

While refusing to confirm plans to disband the provincial structures, Mbalula emphasized the need for “tough decisions” in both provinces, where current leadership includes Siboniso Duma as KZN chairperson.

The confrontational stance comes as the ANC grapples with mounting challenges from former president Zuma’s newly formed MK Party, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.