Johannesburg - A fierce succession battle is raging in the ANC, pitting President Jacob Zuma and the party’s deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa’s supporters against each other. According to the Sunday Independent newspaper, the battle is over the number two position next year. It is understood that the debate is about having a senior female member of the party as the country’s deputy president to replace Kgalema Motlanthe, who was defeated by Zuma as party leader last year. Five sources within the ANC – three of whom are in the national executive committee – have confirmed that the discussions have begun informally. It is understood that Zuma supporters are arguing that the deputy president of the party does not necessarily have to be the deputy president of the country. Ramaphosa’s supporters meanwhile contend that the ANC’s tradition has been that both positions have been occupied by the same person. Some senior officials said that there were strong sentiments among some members that Ramaphosa could easily upstage Zuma if he became his deputy.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 08:20:30 +0000