Zuma Limpopo allies pushing NDZ

Branches still to endorse candidate

President Jacob Zuma’s trusted allies in Limpopo are working hard to ensure that the province officially announces Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as its preferred candidate.

Sowetan understands that the clique, which includes provincial executive committee (PEC) members such as cabinet ministers Faith Muthambi and Joe Maswanganyi, cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC Makoma Makhurupetje and ANC Limpopo treasurer Danny Msiza, were lobbying aggressively for Dlamini-Zuma, pictured, to become ANC president in December. Other leaders who are part of the campaign include Limpopo legislature deputy speaker Lehlogonolo Masoga and former deputy provincial chairman Dickson Masemola.

Masemola declined to comment yesterday.

Dlamini-Zuma visited Limpopo again at the weekend to drum up support.

The PEC is led by an ally of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha.

Ramaphosa supporters in the PEC include ANC Limpopo deputy chairman Jerry Ndou, former ANC provincial secretary Soviet Lekganyane and Thabo Mokone, among others.

ANC provincial spokeswoman Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said it was normal to lobby for support.

“It is the democratic right of people to lobby but only branches can decide who becomes the ANC president.”

Limpopo will send 643 delegates to the ANC national elective conference.

Three of its five regions – Vhembe, Sekhukhune and Peter Mokaba – are said to back Ramaphosa.

Mopani region, the biggest in terms of numbers, is expected to support DlaminiZuma but at its regional general council on Sunday it did not pronounce her as its preferred candidate.

Sources claimed branches rejected Dlamini-Zuma because the regional executive committee wanted to impose her on them.

Mopani secretary Bioskop Makamu denied this yesterday, saying the matter was not on the agenda. “There was not even an attempt to make a pronouncement.”

Muthambi and Maswanganyi could not be reached for comment.

‘ ‘ There was not even attempt to pronounce on preference