South Africa ANC Leaders Break Ranks on Succession, M&G Says

 JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — Provincial office bearers in South Africa’s ruling party are in disagreement over who should take over as leaders of the African National Congress, the Mail & Guardian reported, citing party members.

Free State province Deputy Chairman Thabo Manyoni says party Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa should succeed Jacob Zuma, in line with party tradition, the Johannesburg-based newspaper reported, citing him. Free State Premier Ace Magashule says leaders are elected at party conferences, it said.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary Sihle Zikalala is said to support party Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize for the top position, while others in the province including the Youth League support Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife and the outgoing chairwoman of the African Union Commission, the newspaper reported. A third group in the province led by its former premier, Senzo Mchunu, supports Ramaphosa, the M&G said.

Limpopo ANC Chairman Stan Mathabatha prefers Ramaphosa while the party’s secretary in the province, Knocks Seabi, is aligned with those supporting Dlamini-Zuma, the newspaper reported.