Ramaphosa rejects Zuma’s proposal that losing ANC presidential candidate should deputise

Ramaphosa will not support a notion brought forward by Zuma that the presidential hopeful who loses at Nasrec this weekend should become the deputy president of the ANC.

Zuma brought this deal to the table in July when he spoke to 3 700 ANC delegates. However, Ramaphosa says that the members did not take kindly to the deal and were unimpressed.

Speaking to City Press, Ramaphosa said democracy should prevail within the ANC.

“There was a sense that all this should be left to branches because they are the repository of democractic practise in the ANC and if you agree that branches are the real lifeblood of democracy in the ANC, then you should let them decide. It is firmly my view.”

Ramaphosa added that all the presidential candidates including Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Lindiwe Sisulu, Jeff Radebe and Matthews Phosa had met Zuma and agreed to a code of conduct that was not divisive.

“He was clear from the beginning that, as candidates we should get our supporters to behave in a way that will make the conference successful,” said Ramaphosa.

Currently, Ramaphosa is leading the votes for ANC president at branch level. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and Northern Cape are backing him while Mpumalanga has voted for unity, KZN, Free State and the North West have expressed their support for Dlamini-Zuma.

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