Zuma storm likely to be unleashed on provinces

BUBBLY: President Jacob Zuma walks through the Progressive Business Forum tent at the ANC national conference yesterday Image by: DANIEL BORN Thando Mgaga and ZINE GEORGE | 20 December, 2012 00:065 Comments BUBBLY: President Jacob Zuma walks through the Progressive Business Forum tent at the ANC national conference yesterday Image by: DANIEL BORN PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma's re-election as leader of the ANC is already having ripple effects in provinces, with the removal of premiers being predicted. Delegates from the North West and Eastern Cape want their premiers removed and a debate has started in KwaZulu-Natal about Zweli Mkhize's successor now that he is the party's treasurer-general. In Gauteng, however, premier Nomvula Mokonyane, who lobbied for Zuma, is understood to be hard at work to oust provincial party chairman Paul Mashatile next year. Eastern Cape secretary Oscar Mabuyane said yesterday there was a strong move to eliminate the "two centres of power" in the province. They, as a province, were appealing to the "national [body] at least for that centre to hold". Eastern Cape chairman Phumullo Masualle declined national executive committee nomination and it is understood that the province wants him to take over from premier Noxolo Kiviet. "It's an unhealthy situation. I'm saying it is unhealthy because [Kiviet] might be working well with the provincial executive committee but, honestly speaking, there are others [MECs] who think they are untouchable." The province resolved to replace Kiviet with Masualle as far back as 2009 when it held its sixth provincial conference. Kiviet declined to comment, saying: "I am deployed by the ANC and therefore it is the ANC that comments on that." In KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhize's elevation to the top six has opened the door for provincial executive committee member and education MEC Senzo Mchunu to become premier. The treasurer-general position is a full-time post, like the secretary-general and chairman, based at the party's Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg. KwaZulu-Natal secretary Sihle Zikalala downplayed the contest for Mkhize's replacement, rubbishing speculation about a successor. Zikalala said it was critical there was a smooth transition for the party's chairmanship in the province. "Zweli is still the chair of the ANC and the premier . If the need arises, the ANC will consider that, but so far there is no need." He said there was a proposal to amend the constitution for members who serve on the national executive committee not to hold positions in lower structures. "If that goes through we will have to find a way of dealing with it," said Zikalala. The ANC in the province was stable and "we are not really stressed about who is going to be the chair", he said. The North West ANC appears set to approach Luthuli House to remove premier Thandi Modise. A senior leader in North West, who commented on condition of anonymity, said Modise had failed to unite the province while she was serving as deputy secretary-general of the party.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (R) jokes with his party's newly appointed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the National Conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Bloemfontein December 18, 2012. South Africa's ruling ANC re-elected Zuma as its leader on Tuesday, setting him up for seven more years as head of state of Africa's biggest economy. Image by: MIKE HUTCHINGS / REUTERS TIMES LIVE Cyril out to avoid trouble MOIPONE MALEFANE | 20 December, 2012 00:061 Comments South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (R) jokes with his party's newly appointed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the National Conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Bloemfontein December 18, 2012. South Africa's ruling ANC re-elected Zuma as its leader on Tuesday, setting him up for seven more years as head of state of Africa's biggest economy. Image by: MIKE HUTCHINGS / REUTERS BUSINESSMAN Cyril Ramaphosa has started "to review his interests in business" following his election to the ANC deputy presidency in Mangaung earlier this week. SAVE & SHARE 5 inShare EMAILPRINT Ramaphosa said yesterday it was necessary to deal with potential conflicts of interest to ensure that he performed the responsibilities of his new position adequately. His company, Shanduka, has business interests in many sectors of the economy . "In consultation with ANC national officials, I am undertaking a process of engagement with several stakeholders on the implications of my election to this post," he said. He said the review would include looking at his positions in the private sector, his responsibilities and his obligations. "It is intended that this process results in an arrangement that removes the possibility of conflict of interest," he said. Ramaphosa was elected on President Jacob Zuma's slate, replacing Kgalema Motlanthe, who opposed Zuma for the party leadership. Motlanthe has declined nomination to any leadership position in the ANC, making him an ordinary member. There is speculation that he will resign as deputy president of the country. The past year has seen a dramatic increase in Ramaphosa's wealth. His worth rose by 39% last year, to R3.1-billion this year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, which measures wealth on the basis of an individual's holdings in listed companies. A glance at the holdings of Shanduka, in which the Ramaphosa Family Trust owns a 30% stake, reveals a large and diverse range of interests across almost every sector. In the financial sector, these include holdings of 1.2% in Standard Bank, of which he is also a director, 7.8% in Alexander Forbes and 1.5% in the Liberty Group. Shanduka also owns 0.54% of industrial holding company Bidvest, which has varied interests, including vehicle dealerships. In the telecoms sector, Shanduka has interests in both South Africa and Nigeria, the latter being the fastest-growing mobile communications market in the world. The interests include 0.45% of MTN South Africa and about 5% of MTN Nigeria. Shanduka also has a 32.7% interest in a cellphone tower-building operation in Nigeria - Helios Towers - and 12.5% in Seacom, which lays undersea communications cables. - Additional reporting by BDlive Times Live - - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY - - - ZUMA IS WALKING A TIGHT ROPE. His political career is in the balance. HIS ANCESTORS GAVE HIM THE MARGINAL EDGE AT MANAUNG. HIS PROBLEMS ARE ONLY BEGINNING. WILL ZUMA ALSO BECOME A DESPOT? THE PEOPLE WILL GOVERN SOUTH AFRICA!