Former Ethekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has been cleared by the Kwazulu Natal ANC to run for the regional chairperson position in what has been seen as a “rebellious” decision aimed at consolidating the province before the December national conference.

The move has been described by a political analyst as a sign that the provincial ANC leadership was showing the national executive committee (NEC) the “middle finger”.

 

 
It was also mobilising support in the wake of pending criminal cases against leaders such as former president Jacob Zuma and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, who hail from Kwazulu Natal.

Mkhize, who was forced to resign after the Digital Vibes tender saga, is believed to be challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC leader at the national conference as part of a slate comprising Zuma supporters.

He has been criss-crossing the country since he was forced out of Ramaphosa’s Cabinet, with the last stop being at the Mpumalanga provincial conference in Emalahleni last week.

 

 
In what may be a repeat of the complicated political outcome at the Mpumalanga ANC conference last week, where murder accused Mandla Msibi was elected provincial treasurer before being forced to step aside without setting foot in the office, Gumede has emerged as a front runner for the position of ethekwini regional chairperson at a conference this weekend.

Her main challenge is ethekwini Municipality speaker Thabani Nyawose, who also accepted a nomination to lead the biggest ANC region in the country.

Gumede and 21 of her co-accused were charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering linked to a solid waste management tender worth more than R340 million.

They face a total of 2 793 charges, all linked to the solid waste tender.

Gumede was removed from her position as mayor and moved to the Kwazulu-natal legislature amid protests from certain quarters within the provincial ANC.