There is growing concern that the period in the immediate run-up to South Africa’s 2009 elections could be marred by mass political violence increasingly being fuelled by the internal divisions weakening and undermining the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Party President Jacob Zuma has intervened to heal rifts within the ruling alliance after the ANC Youth League’s attack on ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Zuma decried widespread infighting among party members, warning that it tarnished the moral image of the party ahead of the 2009 elections. He also urged members to shun “factionalism” and to end the violence that has marred the race for electable positions in provincial and national party structures.

The sobering reality is that the ANC post-Polokwane is characterized by a worrying and lethal mix of revolutionary and militant rhetoric, increasingly inflammatory language and of greater concern violent and disruptive behaviour.

Provincial ANC meetings to prepare for the selection of election candidates have been marred by violence in at least three provinces and according to local South African media reports one party member died of injuries sustained in a brawl. In the Western Cape, ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha was stabbed at a branch meeting. Similarly violence was the order of the day in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga ahead of key and crucial ANC conferences that were held.

To suggest that a silent coup of South Africa was carried out with the transfer of leadership at the ANC Conference in Polokwane could be construed as callous. Yet what has been witnessed since the new leadership assumed the reins of power suggests otherwise. Both Eastern Cape and Western Cape Premiers were purged from office, with ANC Free State leaders working to oust Premier Beatrice Marshoff.

The ANC Youth League President also vocally rallied for the ouster of President Thabo Mbeki from office and called for early elections to be held.

There is also a worrying tendency that factions within the party’s newly elected leadership are growing more outspoken, increasingly utilizing the language of revolution and uprising against the powers that be in the Union Building.

The Commander-in-Chief of the verbal onslaught has been ANC Youth League President Julius Malema. In yet another verbal gaffe in support of efforts to scrap Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial Malema was quoted as saying that even “the soldiers”-in reference to Umkhonto weSizwe- will be mobilized in support of Zuma…then you will see what militancy means.”(1)

ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in particular has become an outspoken critic of Julius Maleme and the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) has asked ANC President Jacob Zuma to rein in the rambunctious League President. Motlanthe also condemned Maleme’s statement that the people were prepared to take up arms and “kill for Zuma”.(2)

Similarly, the SACP have warned that the prolonged lead-up to the Zuma trial would bring the country “to the brink”.

In general the South African political environment is increasingly characterized by severe tension and unease. Cosatu leaders who spearheaded protest marches against rising food, fuel and electricity prices sent a clear message to the new ANC leadership that they will not be spared the workers’ wrath if they do not implement “pro-poor” policies. (3)

This sentiment is not merely shared by political analysts alone. Steven Robins, Professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Stellenbosch University echoed similar warnings that the country is increasingly finding itself in a populist vice grip:

“The post-Polokwane national leadership vacuum, widespread internal ANC divisions and state weakness created the conditions for the recent populist and ethno-nationalist mobilisation against foreign scapegoats….While African non-nationals have been killed and displaced from the townships, Julius Malema, Zwelinzima Vavi, Blade Nzimande and their lieutenants remain fixated on attacking the judiciary in the name of “The Great Leader”. This “cult of the personality” emerging around Jacob Zuma is a dangerous symptom of these rapidly escalating populist politics. (4)

The ANC is undoubtedly facing the toughest political campaign in its entire history. The threat posed by the growing militancy within the party could not only derail the prospects for a peaceful election, but could lead to mass political violence that could yet again embroil South Africa in civil unrest.

Kader Asmal, a former Cabinet Minister best captures how the rising tide of extremism is posing a grave danger to political stability and South Africa’s national security:

“The core elements of our Constitution-respect for our democratic institutions, common citizenship based on equality, freedom and human dignity, and freedom of speech and of assembly-are violated by the use of extremist and violent language…The “militarisation” of our political discourse-talking of “shoot the bastards”, prepare for war”, “ready to kill”, “ready to fight to take over the streets”, reference to “counter-revolutionary courts”- is not only offensive but constitutes a danger to our democratic order”.(5)

In a seemingly poisoned political atmosphere, toxic with virulent calls for revolution and uprising, it would perhaps be prudent to lay down the now-infamous machine gun, and perhaps opt for taking up and extending an olive branch to avoid a political catastrophe as South Africa’s defining 2009 election season draws ever closer.