Lungani Zungu
Former president Jacob Zuma is reportedly incensed after the ANC in eThekwini region snubbed his preferred candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is also his ex wife.
Ahead of the ANC elective conference in December, the region instead endorsed former health secretary Zweli Mkhize for the position of party president.
“Msholozi is very upset that the eThekwini region chose Mkhize over his preferred candidate Dlamini-Zuma. He feels betrayed by them,” said a close backer of Zuma in the Moses Mabhida region.
Zuma is now said to be planning a series of meetings with influential regions ahead of the December conference.
The region named current ANC treasurer-general and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile as its preferred deputy president candidate.
Reacting to this, Zandile Gumede – the suspended mayor of eThekwini who is currently subject to the step-aside rule – said branches exercised their right to choose a preferred candidate.
“We can’t dictate to branches about who they must choose. This is a democratic process,” Gumede told Scrolla.Africa.
The ANC in KZN will be sending 877 delegates to the national conference.
Four candidates are currently vying for the ANC top job: Mkhize, Dlamini-Zuma, Lindiwe Sisulu and the incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Repeated attempts to get a comment from Dlamini-Zuma were unsuccessful as her phone rang to voicemail.
Zuma reportedly told a delegation led by the suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule that they should support Dlamini-Zuma.
More than 4,700 delegates will elect the leadership of the ANC in December. Whoever is elected president of the party will remain in place for the next five years.
