The ‘bruising defeat’ of KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala and other party figures in weekend elections for key provincial positions is being seen as a major victory for the anti-Cyril Ramaphosa so-called ‘Taliban’ faction of the ruling party, according to Business Day.
The province is the biggest ANC region, with more than 200 ,000 members, and is expected to play a significant role in the ANC national elective conference in December.
News24 reported that Ramaphosa’s slate, led by dethroned Zikalala was ‘defeated in a clean sweep that saw the pro-Jacob Zuma slate, led by Sboniso Duma, being elected to all top five positions’.
According to Business Day, Duma, a former ANC Youth League leader, represents the so called ‘Taliban’ faction linked to former health minister Zweli Mkhize, and the victories by him and his colleagues represent a landslide victory against those linked to the ‘Ankole’ faction of Ramaphosa
Duma defeated chairperson Zikalala with 930 votes to 665.
The position of deputy chairperson went to Nomagugu Simelane, who defeated Kwazi Mshengu.
The influential post of provincial secretary went to Bheki Mtolo, who defeated incumbent Mdumiseni Ntuli. Sipho Hlomuka was elected deputy secretary, and Ntuthuko Mahlaba was elected treasurer.
According to Business Day, ‘another big shock’ at the weekend meeting was the loss suffered by current MEC for finance Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who was touted for the position of chair but failed to muster sufficient numbers from the floor even to be on the ballot.
[Image: ITU Pictures, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72842833]