South Africa’s governing party, the ANC, is facing strong condemnation from opposition political parties, after its latest annual meeting showed severe division amongst its top leaders.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, General Bantu Holomisa, is calling for an interim government to take over until the next general elections in 2024. He says the move will afford the governing African National Congress (ANC) time to sort out the infighting and allegations of corruption levelled against some of its top members.

This comes amid reports that followers of ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule are planning a national shutdown. Holomisa says the ANC must hand over power to the Constitutional Court, which would structure an interim arrangement.

Mellisa Sithole.