It’s Official: KZN ANC endorses Zweli Mkhize for ANC President, Paul Mashatile as his Deputy

THE ANC succession battle got into high gear on Tuesday when KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC’s largest province in terms of membership, officially endorsed Dr Zweli Mkhize to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the position of President at the party’s 55th national conference in December.

The province made the pronouncement on Tuesday after an “intense and robust special executive committee (PEC) meeting that ended on Monday night to consolidate nominations, with the majority of branches and at least nine regional leaders unanimously backing the former health minister as their man for the top job.

The decision by KZN ANC to support Mkhize for president poses a real threat to Ramaphosa’s second term bid.

KZN ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said the province will support Paul Mashatile, who is currently serving as the acting secretary-general of the party due to the suspension of Ace Magashule, for the position of Deputy President.

The province