A new emerging group linked to Premier David Mabuza’s ambition for ANC national office wants his old rival Sarel Mtshweni to return.
This is believed to be part of a broader plan to elevate Mabuza to Luthuli House on a ticket of unity.
The group wants current regional secretary Leah Khoza to be replaced by Mtshweni when the ANC in the Nkangala region meets for its congress in April this year.
Mtshweni was Mpumalanga human settlement head until 2013 when he fell out of favour with Mabuza after he wanted to be a chairman of the Nkangala region on a slate frustrating Mabuza’s third term ambition as ANC provincial leader.
Mtshweni was defeated when delegates voted for Speedy Mashilo in 2014 regional congress, which saw him emerging for a second term as chairman of Mpumalanga’s richest region.
This group now wants Mtshweni as the new regional secretary on a slate pushing Mashilo as regional chairman and Mabuza as deputy president nationally.
The group, with slogan: “Away with slate politics, tribalism & factionalism and unity of purpose in action in 2017,” also linked to Nkangala ANCYL Mduduzi Mswati Nkosi’s ambition for a second term as the league’s regional leader, wants Mashilo, Paul Mokaba as his deputy, Mtshweni as secretary, deputised by Joyce Tau and Moko Tlou as treasurer.
According to this slate deputy chairperson and eMakhazeni mayor Thomas Ngwenya will return only as an additional member as well as current secretary Leah Khoza while current deputy secretary Thomas Mabena does not feature in the list.
ANC member of parliament Thomas Bhongo also features in the slate.
But regional spokesman Sello Matshoga says regional succession race debates are not yet opened until Luthuli House has completed audits and ‘after that they will begin’.
“Sub-regions will then given the opportunity to nominate their preferred leaders, not now,” Matshoga said.
(edited by PM)
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