ECape sub-region backs Zuma

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. File Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

Eastern Cape - The Nyandeni sub-region of the ANC in the Eastern Cape has resolved to back President Jacob Zuma for a second term at the national conference in Mangaung, it said on Friday.

“Having analysed the strength of this leadership, we are in agreement that it has excelled in the area of organisational building (sic),” sub-regional secretary Malizole Sidelo said in a statement.

“The organisation cannot afford another Polokwane, (where the previous conference was held) where the contestation (sic) was not properly managed. This is not the wrestling court.”

Nyandeni is one of five sub-regions in the OR Tambo region.

Sidelo said 31 branches of the sub-region met on September 30 and decided on its list of preferred candidates for the African National Congress' top six officials.

It named Zuma to retain the position of president, while naming Cyril Ramaphosa to fill deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe's post.

Motlanthe had been named by other branches, regions, and provinces to take over from Zuma.

The sub-region wanted to retain Gwede Mantashe as secretary general and Baleka Mbete as chairwoman. It also named Jessie Duarte as deputy secretary general and KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize as treasurer general.

Sidelo said the OR Tambo regional executive committee had revealed its preferred list without consulting branches in the sub-region.

“Nyandeni sub-region was not consulted by the region; any claims to such occurrence is based on mere fabrication, with no foundation of truth,” he said.

The OR Tambo region was plagued by controversy in August when its regional conference was adjourned before new leaders could be elected.

Its shutdown came after allegations that membership figures were inflated, and that there were several “ghost” delegates.

The outcome of the region's election would be integral to Zuma's bid to retain the leadership of the party.

The region is the largest in the Eastern Cape, and the second largest ANC region in the country, after eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal - Zuma's home. - Sapa