DAVID Mabuza, arguably one of the most powerful figures in the African National Congress, is out in the cold after failing to get nominations from the party’s over 4 000 branches across the country.
The governing party announced nominations for its Top Six positions on Tuesday, releasing the names of members who will be up for election at the party’s elective conference in December.
Kgalema Montlanthe, ANC’s head of electoral committee, made the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon at the ANC’s Luthuli House.
For Deputy President, the nominations are Paul Mashatile, Ronald Lamola, and Oscar Mabuyane. But Mabuza, the current Deputy President of the ANC and the country, was nowhere to be found.
Mabuza, who led Mpumalanga province for two terms before his election to the Deputy President position, was also snubbed by his own province.
Earlier this year, Mpumalanga announced that it would not support Mabuza for the Deputy Presidency position after the provincial executive committee (PEC) resolved that it would instead support Lamola.
Mabuza’s snub came as huge shock to many people, but not surprising to ANC members who are still angry with him for costing Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma the party presidency during the 2017 conference at Nasrec.
Ahead of the 2017 conference, Mabuza is alleged to have promised President Jacob Zuma that he would deliver more than 2,500 delegates to ensure Dlamini-Zuma’s victory.
But at the last-minute, Mabuza changed his mind and told Mpumalanga delegates to vote with their conscience.
The move saw Dlamini-Zuma defeated by Cyril Ramaphosa.
Also missing from the nomination roll were tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu and human settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who both threw their names in the ring leading up to the nominations list.
Mabuza and his commucations team were not available for comment on Tuesday after his convoy was involved in a freak accident in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, on Sunday.
One of his Presidential Protection Service (PPS) died on the scene, and two others were seriously injured, but the deputy president was not in the affected car.
Nominated candidates|
- President: Cyril Ramaphosa (2037); Zweli Mkize (916)
- Deputy president: Paul Mashatile (1791); Ronald Lamola (427); Oscar Mabunyane (397)
- Secretary general: Ndumiseni Ntuli (1225); Phumulo Masualle (427); Mbalula (749)
- Deputy secretary general: Nomvula Mokonyane (1779); Febe Potgieter (905)
- Chairperson: Mathabatha (1492); Gwede Mantashe (978); David Masondo (501)
- Treasurer general: Benjamin Chauke (552); Pule Mabe (428); Mzwandile Masina (348).
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