Ramaphosa likely to retain ANC presidency barring Phala Phala skeletons

By Michael Appel.Cyril Ramaphosa looks set to remain at the helm of the ANC, following the official announcement of consolidated nominations for the top six positions..The incumbent president received 2,037 nominations from branches across the country. This is more than double the 916 received by his presidential rival Dr Zweli Mkhize. The list of top six nominees was announced by chairperson of the ANC's Electoral Committee, former President Kgalema Motlanthe, during a press briefing at Luthuli House on Tuesday..While it's theoretically a two-horse race for the top spot of the ANC, in reality, the numbers paint a scenario in which Mkhize is unlikely to surprise anyone on the day. But strictly speaking, nothing is impossible..54th elective conference in 2017...corruption charges related to the Free State asbestos heist.The race for SG will be on with Mdumiseni Ntuli, the former KZN provincial secretary, getting 1,225 nominations. He's followed by Phumulo Masualle (public enterprises deputy minister) with 889, and Fikile Mbalula (transport minister) with 749. The SG is a hugely important position as that office is seen as the engine room of the party. It's a position that Ramaphosa himself held from 1991 to 1997..The position of national chairperson is a three-way race between Stanley Mathabatha (Limpopo premier), Gwede Mantashe (mineral resources minister), and David Masondo (deputy finance minister). Each garnered 1,492, 979, and 501 nominations, respectively..Finally, the treasurer general spot will be contested by Bejani Chauke (special advisor to Ramaphosa) with 552 nominations, Pule Mabe (ANC spokesperson) with 428, and Mzwandile Masina (ANC Ekurhuleni chairperson) with 348..There is one glaring problem with the list of nominated individuals, and it was raised at the press conference. For a party that prides itself on gender parity, there are only two women among the 16 names put forward by branches. Motlanthe said branches are encouraged to follow the 50/50 guide, "but because it's nominations from branches [and not a list prepared by the party itself], it's not possible to enforce that.".The next announcement to come from the ANC is the list of about 200 names nominated by the party faithful from which 80 members of the national executive committee (the highest decision-making body of the ANC) will be chosen at conference..One thing seems clear though. Deputy president David Mabuza's name features nowhere, so I think it's safe to say DD will have to vacate his office at the Union Buildings at some point post-conference..Looking ahead to what could potentially happen in the lead-up to the elective conference, two massive albatrosses loom over the leadership race. On 6 December, just 10 days before the conference is set to start, the independent panel of experts on Phala Phala that Parliament tasked with determining if there's anything to impeach Ramaphosa for, deliver their findings. Should it go against him, he's in serious trouble. As for Mkhize, his name is still sullied by the Digital Vibes corruption scandal. Law enforcement or the National Prosecuting Authority could still act against him in the interim – as unlikely as that may be. .Both of the contenders for president of the ANC, and potentially then president of the republic, have huge question marks hanging over them. One last fly in the ointment for both is if the ANC Integrity Committee finds – while no criminal charges have yet been filed against Ramaphosa or Mkhize – that the scandals have brought the ANC into disrepute and that they're therefore not eligible to stand. In fact, Ramaphosa has even said he'll voluntarily step aside if charged..But hey…I suspect Eskom will miraculously solve loadshedding before that happens..Read also:.Opportunism is driving ANC policy going into the next electionDA Abroad protest fuel and food crisis in South Africa as Ramaphosa visits LondonIf charged over Phala Phala, Ramaphosa will step aside, but only then

Ramaphosa likely to retain ANC presidency barring Phala Phala skeletons

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