DD Mabuza officially out of ANC leadership

Deputy President David Mabuza is officially out of the top echelons of the ANC after he declined nomination to recontest for his position.

In a night of high drama and chaotic scenes, Mabuza declined his nomination after he was nominated from the floor.

However, an upset took place in the first deputy secretary position with Nomvula Mokonyane, who initially appeared to be running for the position uncontested, ended up facing a challenge after delegates from the Northern Cape nominated Tina Joemat-Pettersson from the floor.

Joemat-Petterson's nomination was supported by the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, allowing her to reach the required threshold of 1109 nominations to make it the ballot.

But intense negotiations for the position of deputy president clearly fell apart as none of the three names nominated from branches declined the contest.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's adviser Bejani Chauke, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe and Ekurhuleni regional chairperson Mzwandile Masina will face off for treasurer-general.

NEC member Gwen Ramokgopa's name was raised from the floor for the same position, she reached the threshold and will be on the ballot — making the position of treasurer the most contested in quantity.

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape's suspended PEC member Andile Lungisa who was nominated for the treasurer position but later disqualified was raised from the floor — the ANC reaffirmed its barring and Lungisa will not be on the ballot.

NEC member Lindiwe Sisulu's was nominated from the floor and she accepted the nomination. However, she failed to garner enough support from delegates to appear on the ballot.

A new position — created at the conference, that of a second deputy secretary-general — saw ANC Women's League national coordinator Maropene Ramokgopa rise to contest. She will go against Western Cape's Ronalda Nalumango who co-ordinates the province's interim committee.

Voting will begin on Sunday morning.

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