BATTLE FOR KZN

Mchunu frontrunners in bid to replace Mkhize

SHARP divisions have emerged in President Jacob Zuma s stronghold

’ of KwaZulu-Natal as the ANC in the province prepares to replace its outgoing chairman Zweli Mkhize. Mkhize s election as the party s

’ ’ treasurer-general in Mangaung last year has ignited a fierce leadership battle as party members differ on who should replace him.

A provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting this week confirmed that Mkhize would be replaced at a provincial general council (PGC) meeting to be held early in March.

The ANC Youth League in the province has thrown its weight behind current party deputy provincial chairman Willies Mchunu, while other structures are said to prefer MEC for education Senzo Mchunu.

The position is expected to be hotly contested as any leader who gets elected will become the most powerful politician in KZN and could become premier.

Zuma was a unifying figure in the province and the campaign for his re-election concealed divisions in the province.

Vukani Ndlovu, convener of the ANCYL provincial task team, says the league will lobby ANC branches to support (Willies) Mchunu. That is what we will propose “to ANC and youth league structures,” says Ndlovu.

Another youth league leader, eThekwini chairman Jomo Sibiya says (Willies) Mchunu should take over to ensure unity and continuity. We elected him as deputy “chairman because we felt he will be able to give political direction to the province and that in the absence of the chairperson he must take over. That time is now,” says Sibiya. The unity of the province is “ the priority. Willies is the kind of person who always want to see a united ANC. He embraces all the forma“tions within the mother body and the youth league has a very good relationship with him.”

However, a PEC member says it is time for (Senzo) Mchunu to take over. We will campaign for Senzo,” “says the PEC member.

The PGC is also expected to fill three additional member PEC posts left vacant after Siyabonga Cwele, Mildred Oliphant and Lungi Gcabashe resigned from the provincial structure following their election to the national executive committee.

ANC spokesperson Senzo Mkhize denies a leadership contest could divide the province. You can t say the democratic “’ processes have the potential to divide the organisation because that is the culture of the ANC. We can t compromise the cul“’ ture of the organisation,” says Mkhize. He says the youth league s

’ support for (Willies) Mchunu is premature. Nominations will start this coming Friday.