Pule punted for premier’s post

● Disgraced former communications minister Dina Pule’s name is being punted as a candidate for premier of Mpumalanga.

ANC insiders say Pule’s name is among those that have gained support in party branches as the ANC selects leaders to send to provincial legislatures and the national parliament.

Other names include acting ANC chair of the province Mandla Ndlovu and Peter

Nyoni. Premier Violet Siwela, who is said to be former premier David Mabuza’s preferred candidate, is also being considered.

Pule disappeared from public office after she was fired by former president Jacob Zuma in 2013 after being found guilty of breaching the code of conduct for members of parliament relating to her alleged failure to disclose her relationship with Phosane Mngqibisa, who was found to have benefited substantially through his association with her.

Mpumalanga ANC spokesperson Sesekani Manzini said the province had reached the 70% threshold permitting it to hold a list conference but had postponed it. She said the provincial leadership would meet to decide on a new date.

“This is an opportunity for branches that have not completed these processes to do so.

“We haven’t begun to discuss the premier candidates because we don’t even know who will make it onto the list yet,” she said.