The African National Congress (ANC) enters the second day of its National General Council with a controversial proposal to clamp down on vote-buying taking centre stage. The motion, which seeks to eliminate the long-criticised practice of distributing money or gifts during leadership contests, has reignited debate over internal democracy, factional power, and the party’s commitment to organisational renewal.
According to political analyst Sanet Solomon, the issue is not new, but its formal tabling marks a significant shift in how seriously the ANC appears to be taking allegations of internal manipulation.
“They did. I think that over the years we’ve heard a lot of allegations of vote-buying and, obviously, the impact that it would have on the political party. This is not the first time this has been mentioned, but it’s one of the first times it has been more formally tabled, and I think that’s possibly why it is being perceived as a nervous idea,” Solomon explained.
If the motion passes, Solomon believes it could fundamentally change the dynamics of future leadership battles. Candidates who previously relied on financial influence may find themselves at a disadvantage in a more regulated environment.
“I definitely think that might be the case,” she said. “It must be exciting for them to receive a power bank and R3,000 in a really nice envelope or cute bag, but the practice does impact who comes to the fore in the African National Congress.”
However, Solomon cautioned that passing the proposal is only the first step. Ensuring meaningful implementation may prove far more difficult.
“The important question is whether there will be political will to ensure that this happens. We know that when new rules are put into effect, people find alternative ways to bypass them. This might just prompt others to find new ways to get that money to people or to rig the outcome in some other way. They should be on the lookout for the creativity of human beings,” she warned.
The ANC’s decision in the coming days will signal how deeply the party intends to reform and whether it can curb long-standing practices that have shaped its internal politics for decades.
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