ANC’s Zweli Mkhize says he’s ready to lead the party

The African National Congress (ANC) Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize has joined five other people who have announced that they are in the running to be the party’s next president.

The ANC is expected to elect its next leadership at the party’s elective conference in December this year.

Mkhize will go head to head with current deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, chairperson Baleka Mbete, NEC members Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Lindiwe Sisulu and Jeff Radebe.

EWN reports that Mkhize said he was ready to accept nominations from branches who want him to be the next president.

He also said that he was aware that there would be smear campaign against him now that he has announced his ambitions to be the party’s leader.

Mkhize said this following the leak of Ramaphosa’s emails to the media last week.

Media reports reported that the emails allegedly revealed that Ramaphosa had affairs with about eight women. A Sunday Times report alleged that the deputy president admitted to cheating on his wife with a medical practitioner eight years ago. According to the reports, he confessed to his wife.

Ramaphosa answered questions in parliament on Wednesday and said he would address the allegations in a day or two.