As the ANC’s 55th national conference gets into its second day at Nasrec, Johannesburg, various factions are engaged in last minute lobbying as part of a scramble to fill the influential top six positions.
The faction backing President Cyril Ramaphosa is being challenged by the former health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize is apparently willing to be persuaded on other positions but is adamant on him getting a second term at the helm of the party.
Leading Ramaphosa campaigner Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane who’s currently serving as Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson and is standing for the Deputy President position accused the Mkhize group of being power hungry and potentially corrupt.
“There are so many of them, they’re just contesting, contesting for this and that. You can’t have people who just want to have everything you don’t even know what they stand for”, said Mabuyane suggesting that those opposing Ramaphosa are doing so just so they can get positions for self enrichment.
Mabuyane is himself in a multi horse race that includes Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, his water and Sanitation counterpart Senzo Mchunu, Treasurer General Paul Mashatile and possibly the incumbent David Mabuza who was a kingmaker in the 2017 conference but currently doesn’t enjoy full support of his province Mpumalanga.
“It’s not about Oscar but about the entire collective. I’m a chairperson in the Eastern Cape and the people love me there so I am not desperate at all if I do not emerge I’m not going to the streets”, said Mabuyane making a point that he could drop off the race if it helps Ramaphosa get a second term.