By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) electoral committee will on Tuesday announce the outcomes of branch nominations for the top six who will contest leadership positions at the party’s upcoming national elective conference.
According to the committee’s guidelines, ANC members who either have been placed on suspension by the party or were subject to adverse findings by the ANC integrity commission are barred from contesting for any leadership positions within the party.
While both Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize have appeared before the integrity commission to answer allegations made against them, the two were likely to be given the green light to contest the ANC top position.
The integrity commission did not table its reports on Phala Phala and Digital Vibes, among others, at the last sitting of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC).
ANC electoral committee secretary Chief Livhuwani Matsila who declined to disclose details around the outcomes of the committee’s verification processes, said candidates who have qualified will be unveiled on Tuesday at noon.
Other candidates vying for the ANC president position include Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy President David Mabuza and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
It is understood that Paul Mashatile may be leading nominations for the number-two spot and another candidate who could make it onto the ballot for deputy presidency is Senzo Mchunu.
Meanwhile, former ANC KZN secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, Fikile Mbalula, and Phumulo Masualle are expected to contest for the party’s secretary-general position.
More than 4 000 ANC delegates are expected to participate in the conference, which is scheduled to be held at Nasrec Expo from December 16 to 20.