Cele loses provincial support

The African National Congress (ANC) zones in the eThekwini region have endorsed John Mchunu to lead the party in a move seen as a rebuff for current leader, MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Cele. Mchunu is the current ANC secretary in the eThekwini region and is also a member of provincial legislature.

ANC leaders sympathetic to Cele said yesterday that he has been betrayed by the region he successfully led since 2002. Last year, Cele was asked not to stand for any of the top five ANC provincial leadership positions ahead of the party's elective provincial executive committee at the end of this month. Acting on the region's directive, Cele said late last year that he would not be available for nomination for any position in the provincial executive committee. Sources state that Cele, tipped as one of the front runners for provincial chairman, had listened to the directive hoping that he would keep his position as leader of the eThekwini region.

The eThekwini region is the biggest in the province and it was one of the regions that played a pivotal role in campaigning for ANC president Jacob Zuma before the Polokwane conference. Vigorous campaigns spearheaded by Cele, among other leaders in the region, resulted in Zuma trouncing the incumbent, President Thabo Mbeki. In what has been described as a major blow for Cele, the Daily News has learnt that of the region's 17 zones, 15 have nominated Mchunu and only two chose Cele as their preferred candidate.

The ANC Youth League is one of the ANC wings backing Mchunu. Sthe Mshengu, the league's regional secretary, confirmed that they were fully behind Mchunu, but denied there was a concerted effort to snub Cele. "We have made our position clear. We want comrade John (Mchunu) to lead the region. It must also be made clear that we acknowledge the contribution that Bheki (Cele) made when he led the region," Mshengu said.

The region will choose five top officials and 15 additional members during a three day conference starting on May 30. An eThekwini ANC leader said there was general agreement that Mchunu should be at the helm of the ANC in the region. "The movement has a pool of people with the potential to lead. We don't want people who hold too many positions at the same time. Bheki is okay holding the national executive position and we need to give other people a chance to lead," he said.

Cele, who is currently in Germany, yesterday refused to comment, saying that he was too busy. Mchunu also refused to comment, arguing that it would be improper for him to say anything because his name was also involved. According to the proposed list, S'bu Sibiya is earmarked to be secretary and Zandile Gumede, the eThekwini Municipality's Masakhane committee chairperson, is likely to get the treasurer position. There are still engagements on who should be deputy secretary and deputy chairman. Cele is likely to get a position in the national assembly after the general elections in April next year, sources said.