ANC presidential hopeful Dr Zweli Mkhize has pulled way ahead in the KZN branch nominations for the top job.
According to leaked nomination results, Mkhize amassed an impressive lead, with 643 branch nominations compared to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 60.
Branches in the province snubbed another presidential hopeful, Co-operative Governance Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who got the nod from only 24.
Former president Jacob Zuma, who made himself available to contest for chairman, was also snubbed – with only 49 branches giving him the thumbs up. Instead, they nominated Limpopo chairman and premier Stan Mathabatha, with 502 nominations.
KZN and Limpopo had, in recent times, forged relations despite the fact that Limpopo endorsed Ramaphosa for a second term while KZN went with Mkhize.
ANC KZN spokesman Mafika Mndebele said: “We have not released the nomination list. We have seen the leaked list and we’re not entertaining it. The list will be announced by the electoral committee.”
The leaked list reflected how the province rejected Ramaphosa and Zuma, who seemed to be on a campaign and was attacking Ramaphosa publicly. Zuma had thrown his weight behind his former wife, Dlamini-Zuma, for the top job.
The province also snubbed presidential hopeful Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who didn’t receive a single nomination.
For deputy president, the province was unwavering in its support for ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile.
The province chose him over their own, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, with 521 to 129 nominations.
And for secretary position, the province voted for former Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle over Mdumiseni Ntuli while former Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane got the nod for deputy secretary.
Former Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina surprisingly got the nod for the treasurer position with the most branch nominations at 171.
The leaked list would give Mkhize some confidence, even though he had so far been endorsed by one province and the youth league national task team.
Electoral committee member Chief Matsila said nominations from all provinces had since been collected, and the process of consolidating was underway.
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Matsila said the committee would announce consolidated results by 28 November, after which acceptance forms for those nominated would be sent to candidates.
Only the three most nominated candidates across the provinces would make it to the ballot.
