By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committee (PEC) announced former health minister Zweli Mkhize as the region’s preferred presidential candidate for the ANCs December conference.
Mkhize resigned as health minister after he was implicated in the R150 million Digital Vibes where the contract was unlawfully awarded to his former aides and some of the money ended up benefiting Mkhize’s family.
He has been quietly working the ground in KwaZulu-Natal as he builds up support for contesting one of the top positions within the governing party’s leadership.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo announced on Tuesday that Mkhize received an overwhelming endorsement from all 11 branches in the province.
Addressing the media at the party’s provincial offices in KZN, Ntuli said for the position of deputy president, branches have nominated the current acting secretary general and treasurer Paul Mashatile.
Other preferred candidates were Stanley Mathabatha to replace Gwede Mantashe and Nomvula Mokonyane to become deputy secretary general.
Limpopo has already made it clear that they will continue to support the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mathabatha is currently chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo while Mokonyane is the head of organising in the ANC.
The under fire Mantashe was, on Monday, booed off stage at the Cosatu elective conference by delegates who said they were tired of the ANC.
Tuesday’s announcement comes after branches were given an opportunity a few weeks ago to discuss their leadership preferences.
Mkhize is expected to go head-to-head against incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa and Cogta minister Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma for the top at the 55th national conference.
Meanwhile ANC electoral committee chairperson, Kgalema Motlanthe, had issued a directive for ANC leadership structures not to publicly announce their preferred candidates.
However, the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) which held its special meeting in Durban yesterday, and forged ahead with plans to announce its preferred candidate on Tuesday.
According to Motlanthe, announcing a preferred candidate before ANC branches concluded their nomination processes imposes pressure on the branches to nominate the PEC’s preferred candidate.
While ANC KZN regional leadership structures such as eThekwini, Musa Dladla in Richards Bay and Mzala Nxumalo in Vryheid, have already announced Mkhize, as their preferred presidential candidate, other party regions including the Lower South Coast and Moses Mabhida, have not yet announced their preferred candidate.