DA leader in KwaZulu-Natal declares the ANC's demise in the province

Francois Rogers, the DA leader in KwaZulu-Natal and MEC of Finance, stated at the DA national congress in Johannesburg that the ANC in the province has "died" due to spectacular failures across all government spheres. Rogers, who is part of the ANC-IFP coalition in KZN, emphasized that the era of one-party dominance is over, with voters no longer granting political parties a "blank cheque." He highlighted that coalition politics are the future, stressing that successful coalitions must be built on principles, delivery, and accountability, not merely political deals. Rogers also discussed the challenges of hung municipalities after the 2021 local government elections, noting the DA's efforts to ensure service delivery through agreements. He asserted that the DA has exposed corruption, inflated contracts, and empty bank accounts in KZN municipalities, making them "afraid" of the party's scrutiny. Rogers acknowledged the difficulty of exposing corruption within government departments in KZN while in a coalition with the ANC, citing a Treasury intervention in the Department of Education that nearly collapsed the government of provincial unity. The ANC's national body has been attempting to revive its support in KZN following a 17% defeat in the 2024 provincial elections, leading to the dislodging of structures and the appointment of a provincial task team. Reports indicate that the ANC's National Working Committee may discuss the removal of Jeff Radebe as the convenor of this tas