By Zukile Majova
Former president Jacob Zuma’s number one loyalist in the ANC in Gauteng, Mzwandile Masina, continues to have a horrible year.
The former Ekurhuleni mayor was recently forced to resign from his posts as a councillor in the Ekurhuleni Metro and a regional chairperson of the ANC.
This came after he frustrated ANC-sanctioned plans for the EFF to take over the mayorship of Ekurhuleni.
The plan was that an ANC-EFF coalition would unseat DA mayor Tania Campbell.
The ANC would give the R35 billion municipality to the EFF in return for the EFF helping the ANC unseat the DA-coalition in Tshwane and in the Jo’burg Metro.
Stripped of his power and influence, Masina hoped to be elected into the ANC top seven as treasurer general.
But even with ballot papers already printed, Masina was forced to pull out of the race.
Branches nominated Bejani Chauke, the special adviser to the president, Pule Mabe, the national spokesperson, and Masina for the treasurer position.
In an impromptu press briefing with Mabe, Masina said he was pulling out to give Mabe the best possible chance to win.
The treasurer position in the ANC has become a huge challenge as the ruling party is battling to attract donors.
It has become the norm for staff at ANC head office in Luthuli House to go for two or three months without getting paid.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confessed to having had to pay the Luthuli House payroll from his pocket on more than one occasion.
Pictured above: Mzwandile Masina
Image source: Zukile Majova
