Seven to battle for leadership of scandal-hit ANC party

SOUTH Africa’s ruling party is meeting this weekend to decide the successor to scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma, as it seeks to restore the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s liberation movement.

Seven candidates are standing for leader of the African National Congress, and most likely president after elections in 2019.

But the choice is likely to come down to two: Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s deputy president and one of the nation’s wealthiest citizens, and Mr Zuma’s ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the former chair of the African Union Commission.

Both have promised to revive the ANC, the 105-yearold party whose reputation has taken a beating under Mr Zuma’s scandal-ridden tenure.

Chief among the damage has been Mr Zuma’s relationship with business family the Guptas, accused of attempting to use Mr Zuma and his son to influence government appointments.

Mr Ramaphosa (65), leads the party faction calling for reform. He has blamed the attempt to wrest control of state resources for private profit for the nation’s ailing economy, and has promised to weed out corruption.

Mrs Dlamini-Zuma, (68), the mother of four of Mr Zuma’s children, has pushed for an economic agenda that puts more power in the hands of black South Africans disenfranchised under apartheid.

But critics say her closeness to Mr Zuma could further compromise the party with voters in 2019, and keep the country on its downward economic trajectory.

Though some warn it is too early to call, Mr Ramaphosa has a slight edge going into the five-day congress.

Observers are expecting a tumultuous five days as the candidates and their supporters battle to fill the party’s top post.

The allegations against Mr Zuma and the Guptas are so far-reaching and brazen as be almost unbelievable.

Former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas last year told South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog, that while visiting in 2015, one of the Gupta brothers, Ajay, offered him R600m (¤39m at current rates) to take over as finance minister and help the family secure more business with state enterprises.

Mr Jonas said he declined, and as he walked out, Mr Gupta asked if he had a bag with him big enough to take R600,000 (¤39,000) in cash. Mr Gupta has denied meeting Mr Jonas or offering him the finance minister post, according to local media reports.

A raft of emails was also leaked to the South African media detailing a series of alleged acts of collusion between the Guptas, Mr Zuma and other officials. Atul Gupta, Ajay’s brother, has separately said the emails were faked.

The Guptas and Mr Zuma have denied any wrongdoing, but the scandal has angered South Africans struggling with rising food prices and 30pc national unemployment. As the rand has been buffeted by Mr Zuma’s repeated cabinet reshuffles, voters have become increasingly disenchanted with the movement that once fought tirelessly to end South Africa’s white-minority rule.

The allegations have also sharpened divisions within the ANC itself, pitching members who have criticised the president against Mr Zuma and his powerful allies.

“Dlamini-Zuma’s reputation as a puppet of her ex-husband would hurt the ANC in 2019, even though this perception is somewhat unfair,” says Ben Payton, head of Africa research for Verisk Maplecroft.

“She simply lacks the charisma to convince disillusioned voters to give the party another chance.”

For Mr Zuma, this week’s conference could nonetheless mark the end of term as South African president.

An analysis of previous polls has shown he has already caused significant damage to the party’s vote, says politics expert Mcebisi Ndletyana.

Both frontrunners are likely to ask him to step down before 2019.

‘ANC has taken a beating under Zuma’s scandal-ridden tenure’