Premier League loses its grip ahead of elective conference

THE influence of a pro-Jacob Zuma group known as the Premier League is waning ahead of the ANC’s December elective conference as branches in their provinces openly revolt.

Insiders in North West and Free State have told reporters that conferences there were either postponed or collapsed by the provincial strongmen‚ Supra Mahumapelo and Ace Magashule‚ respectively‚ as they attempt to hold onto power.

Chaos reigns in the North West ANC where three regions‚ disbanded since 2015‚ last week failed to hold conferences to elect new leadership. Task teams have been in charge in those regions beyond the six-month period allowed for in the ANC constitution.

Former secretary Priscilla Williams said: “The reason our conference was postponed is because Supra and his supporters calculated the numbers and realised they were losing.”

Mahumapelo and provincial secretary Dakota Legoete did not respond to requests for comment.

In the Free State‚ Magashule’s grip on power is also slipping. This comes after a provincial conference set for last week was postponed and a cadre’s assembly held in its place.

Magashule is being challenged by his deputy Thabo Manyoni.

Only Mpumalanga’s David Mabuza appears to have a firm grip on power after he was elected unopposed in 2015.

The province has earmarked Mabuza as the next ANC deputy president but it is unclear whether he still supports Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to succeed President Jacob Zuma. — DDC