Crucial meetings of ANC factions held as eThekwini conference approaches

DURBAN - FACTIONS aligned to Thabani Nyawose and corruption-accused Zandile Gumede held crucial meetings at the weekend to gauge the mood of branches and the delegates who will attend the regional elective conference which starts on April 8.

Nyawose and Gumede are both vying to be chairperson in eThekwini. The race is seen as being indicative of the course that will be set for the ANC at a national level with a win for Nyawose expected to boost President Cyril Ramaphosa’s chances of returning to his position as ANC president at the national conference, while a win for Gumede would strengthen the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) group’s chances.

All conferences were supposed to sit last year but Covid-19 regulations and other issues led to delays.

Njabulo Mchunu, one of Gumede’s key backers, said Sunday’s meeting in uMlazi was an opportunity to touch base with the grassroots leadership from the “52 branches that have given Gumede their backing”.

“We may have another meeting before the conference but this was an opportunity to touch base with supporters and to decide the way forward.”

Gumede’s slate features Themba Ntuli as deputy chairperson, Musa Ncika as regional secretary and Nkosenhle Madlala as deputy and Nomthandazo Shabalala as treasurer.

Mchunu said Gumede’s support had not waned and even though the conference had been postponed – it was meant to be held last week – she still had widespread support in the region.

When asked about the corruption charges hovering over Gumede, Mchunu said she would stand for election but would respect the policies of the ANC.

Gumede and her co-accused are facing corruption charges relating to an irregular multimillion-rand municipal waste tender awarded in 2017. At the time, Gumede, described by the State as a key figure in the case, was the mayor of the municipality. The trial will start on July 18.

Nyawose addressed supporters on Sunday at the Olive Convention Centre, thanking them for standing by him since 2019.

According to media reports, Nyawose called for the coming weekend’s voting process to be done in a manner that reflected the dignity of the ANC.

Nyawose also touched on the factional elements that had taken hold of the party and said the renewal of the party could not be realised unless party members could look past previous disagreements.

Nyawose’s slate features Mthunzi Dlamini as deputy chairperson, Bheki Ntuli as secretary, Thanduxolo Sabelo as deputy, and Ntokozo Sibiya as treasurer.