In the run-up to the local government elections in 2016, Gwede Mantashe, who was secretary-general of the ANC at the time, lamented how contestation for municipal positions by party members had become a matter of life and death.
At the time it was evident that the ANC was going to lose electoral support thanks to its dismal management of municipalities across the country, as well as Jacob Zuma's disastrous leadership.
The ANC went on to lose control of three of the country's metros, some of which changed hands repeatedly through coalition governments.
It also lost support in many local municipalities.
Loss of support in the polls meant fewer opportunities for the party in councils and, as a result, a higher level of jostling among its members.
It was evident that much of the internal party contestation was decided through patronage and violence.
Almost five years later, as we head for another election in October, it would appear that a similar picture is beginning to emerge.
In recent weeks the ANC has seen several incidents of violence in its branch meetings where candidates for local government elections are chosen.
The situation is similar in many provinces where members attend meetings heavily armed, either to disrupt processes they do not agree with or to defend themselves against anticipated attacks.
It’s a culture that should not be acceptable in a democracy.
Yet only a handful of these cases are prosecuted by law enforcement and the ANC itself seems too badly hamstrung by its own factional battles to intervene and hold its criminal members accountable.
The party's national leadership has seemingly left it to lower structures to manage any violent fallout when it occurs.
In a country where too many people and communities are on the fringes of economic activity, the only opportunities they see to survive are those that depend on political fortunes.
Who gets to benefit is often determined by proximity to power and violent conquest.
We must condemn political violence in this country outright. We must also demand a government that opens up economic opportunities for young people in particular, instead of condemning them to the narrow and desperate world of political patronage.
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