EMBATTLED former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has raised his hand to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the ANC top job.
He made his intention clear during the traditional wedding ceremony of his son Dedani in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.
Mkhize is currently involved in a legal battle to get the Digital Vibes report, which linked him and his family to alleged corruption, set aside.
He has reportedly been endorsed by several ANC branches in KZN, and was seen addressing caucus meetings in eThekwini. The Daily News reported that Mkhize made his leadership intentions clear in the presence of provincial heavyweights such as Far North Region secretary Verus Ngcamphalala, Musa Dladla Region deputy chairman Phiwe Mhlongo, and NEC member Dakota Lekgoete.
EWN reported that Mkhize told a crowd that he would honour the call by branches for him to run for the top job, while also complaining that a political leader was using the media to tarnish his name.
“I have served even during the difficult times of the apartheid era but I will continue serving and wherever they send us. We will respect the decision,” he said.
“It has become very clear that there are some political leaders working with big companies, hiring private investigators and investigative journalists to dig up anything, even some stuff dating back to 2005 during my term as finance MEC in the province.”
Mkhize said some of the cases being brought up again were dealt with in court long ago.
Addressing amabutho at the ceremony, he said: “They have told me this will continue until the end of the year.”
It is still not clear whether Mkhize will run under the radical economic transformation faction, which has not yet revealed its candidate. The faction was dealt a blow when general secretary Ace Magashule was suspended.
