The ANC wanted to launch a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, ahead of the 2019 general election, but the project has been thrown into disarray because of internecine fighting between those involved.

That’s according to a report in the Mail & Guardian on Friday, which said the planned MVNO, to be called 1912 Mobile, was meant to earn the party more than R10-million/month while sharing ANC-related content with party supporters.

The network’s name is derived from the year of the ANC’s founding. It was meant to piggyback on Cell C’s network, like all other MVNOs launched in South Africa — including Virgin Mobile, FNB Connect and Mr Price’s MRP Mobile.

However, “allegations of greed, litigation threats and claims of a conflict of interest threaten to derail the agreement”, the Mail & Guardian reported.

According to the report, the project is now at risk after ANC election committee risk manager Bo Mbindwane sought to become involved in 1912 Mobile through his own company, Zoetic. The project was the brainchild of Majota “Phat Joe” Kambule and Joseph Nkadimeng. Nkadimeng is reportedly considering court action to stop 1912 Mobile from proceeding. — (c) 2018 NewsCentral Media