Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel will lead a panel of "external experts" on the national planning commission, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday.

"There will be a planning commission chaired by the minister in the presidency and consolidated by external experts," Mantashe told reporters in Johannesburg following a meeting of the party's
national executive committee.

Mantashe said the NEC had considered appointing Cabinet ministers to the commission, but did not do so out of concerns about "turf battles".

Manuel's position had been criticised by alliance partners Cosatu and the SA Communist Party. The ANC was expected to meet with its alliance partners at a summit this weekend. - Sapa