By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The results of who will be leader of the African National Congress in Kwazulu-Natal African are expected to be announced later this afternoon at the party’s 9th Provincial Conference which is under way in Durban.
The election of new ANC provincial leaders was delayed as party members could not agree on the delegates who should be representing ANC branches at the conference.
Some branches, including in the Moses Mabhida and eThekwini regions were of the view that they were being unfairly prevented from participating in the conference.
As a result, delegates were embroiled in a dispute that dragged on until the early hours of Saturday morning.
However, the dispute was finally resolved, paving the way for the election of new leaders.
“I can confirm that the credentials have now been adopted,” ANC outgoing spokesperson, Nhlakanipho Ntombela, said.
Initially, six candidates were tipped to contest the ANC provincial chairperson position.
However, following several hours of horse-trading, the contest for the top ANC provincial position is likely to be between Premier Sihle Zikalala and KZN Legislature senior MPL, Siboniso Duma.
It is expected to resume with the nomination process for the top five leaders. After voting the conference will break into commissions.
Meanwhile Cosatu KZN chairperson Phumlani Duma sparked the ire of delegates on Friday when he slammed the use of names such as the Taliban and Ankole to describe factions vying for power in the province.
The Ankole faction is seen to be aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa. It backs Sihle Zikalala who is seeking re-election as provincial chairperson and Mdumiseni Ntuli. He is also looking to return as provincial secretary.
The Taliban faction is seen to be pro-former president Jacob Zuma and it has pitched senior KZN member of the provincial legislature, Siboniso Duma, to become provincial chairperson.
Duma said: “It’s not correct comrades; let’s make sure that we speak of one organisation which is the ANC. If we talk about RET, let’s talk about it as a policy of the ANC, not as an organisation within the ANC.