Lungani Zungu & Celani Sikhakhane
In 2017, Jacob Zuma’s first son Edward contested the position of ANC branch chairperson in Nkandla. He lost.
In the same year, his half-sister Thukukile was accused of stealing an ANC youth league branch election in Joburg, where she was elected branch secretary under dubious circumstances.
Now enter Duduzane, Zuma’s golden child, who is currently vying to be chairperson of ward 11 in the eThekwini region.
He has said that he wants to be president of the ANC, the continent’s oldest liberation movement, formed 108 years ago.
However, some in eThekwini are moving to thwart his ambitious bid before it has even started.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s backer, Thabani Nyawose, who is eyeing the eThekwini regional chairperson position, said Duduzane doesn’t qualify to contest positions.
“His membership is less than two years. The ANC constitution states that you can’t contest any position if your membership is less than two years,” Nyawose told Scrolla.Africa.
Nyawose was expected to contest the eThekwini chairperson position against Zandile Gumede, a strong Zuma ally.
Some ANC members say Duduzane is likely to replace Gumede, if the ANC blocks her from contesting due to the fraud and corruption charges she faces for a R430 million Durban solid waste tender. The matter is currently in court.
But “I do not know anything that is taking place in the ANC,” Gumede said.
Gumede’s running mate, Musa Nciki, said Duduzane might not qualify if his ANC membership is less than five years old. It remains unclear how long he has been in the party.
A source said: “Duduzane has money, and our comrades are hungry. So it will not be difficult for him to ascend to power.”
