‘Ramaphosa Has Clearly Lost Control Of This And Other Key Regions’ – John Steenhuisen On Gumede’s Election… DA leader John Steenhuisen on Monday slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa after corruption-accused former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede was elected ANC eThekwini regional chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal.
Steenhuisen said the return of embattled Gumede to a powerful position in the province proved Ramaphosa has lost control of this region and others.
Steenhuisen, whose party filed a no-confidence motion against members of Ramaphosa’s cabinet earlier this year, said the president needs to regain control of the ruling party.
“With corruption-accused Zandile Gumede elected as ANC eThekwini regional chairperson last night, and with her allies having won all the other top positions contested, Ramaphosa has clearly lost control of this and other key regions. But he can and must control the size and composition of his cabinet,” Steenhuisen said.
Gumede’s election was met with mixed responses from politicians and the public.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini laughed off the losses by Ramaphosa’s allies, while former Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus welcomed Gumede’s election.
Amandla! As was throughout expected the Chairperson of the #ANCEthekwiniRegion is comrade #ZANDILEGUMEDE!!!!
MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS MY DEAR COMRADE! ✊🏾#Malibongwe!!! pic.twitter.com/RsmUSMdJLa
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) April 10, 2022
Hebanna I heard Cyril's faction paid delegates to vote otherwise but delegates delivered Zandile Gumede. What a mistake so good 🤣🤣#AnceThekwini. pic.twitter.com/kj9T4WQUhJ
— Battalion 54 (@54Battalion) April 11, 2022
Gumede, who was nominated and elected in absentia, beat Ramaphosa’s ally Thabani Nyawose for the position.