Speculation is mounting within the African National Congress (ANC) that former Police Minister and current National Executive Committee member Bheki Cele is being considered for a key leadership position in the party’s eThekwini region.
According to internal party sources, Cele’s name has emerged as one of several candidates being evaluated for the role of regional convener. The announcement of the new leadership structure is expected this week from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who is set to unveil both the eThekwini regional leadership and additional provincial members under the newly reconfigured structure led by Mike Mabuyakhulu.
Other individuals reportedly under consideration for the convener position include Thabani Nyawose, the current eThekwini Speaker and a member of the outgoing regional task team, former regional secretary Bheki Ntuli, and former eThekwini Human Settlements committee head Nigel Gumede.
Party insiders say discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been confirmed. However, one source indicated that former provincial youth league secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo is emerging as the frontrunner for the coordinator role, which will sit alongside the convener in the new regional leadership setup.
“At this stage it is still early to tell, but Sabelo is the strong favourite for coordinator. For convener, Cele, Gumede, Nyawose and Ntuli are all in the mix,” the source said.
The restructuring forms part of the ANC’s broader efforts to stabilise and reorganise its leadership structures in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of upcoming political priorities.