The results of the much anticipated, and much debated African National Congress (ANC) top six leadership is expected on Tuesday morning.
More than four-thousand ANC delegates will cast their votes for their preferred top six to lead the party for next five years. The fight for the presidency is between the incumbent Jacob Zuma and his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe. It is a three-horse race for the deputy presidency with Tokyo Sexwale, Mathews Phosa and Cyril Ramaphosa. Fikile Mbalula is battling it out with the incumbent Gwede Mantashe for the position of secretary-general.
The voting happens with a threat of an interdict hanging over the conference,, but the ANC has taken precautionary measures with the Free State and North West delegates voting on different coloured ballots. This will be crucial should it be necessary to separate them from the final count.
All eyes are on the constitutional court that will give clarity on the implications of last week’s judgment that declared the Free State Elective conference illegal and set aside the election of the executive committee and its decisions. Yesterday, the conference adopted credentials allowing for both the Free State and North West delegates to vote, but disgruntled Members deem this to be a violation of a court order.
– By Mahlatse Gallens
