Winnie back with a bang as pro-Mbeki clan axed

Patrick Cull POLITICAL EDITOR cullp@avusa.co.za

DELEGATES at the ANC�s 52nd national conference resisted the temptation to fill 80 additional positions on the National Executive Committee with pro-Zuma members, but did axe prominent pro-Mbeki supporters.

At an emotionally charged conference in Polokwane on Thursday, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela received the highest tally of votes, followed by senior ANC members Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya and his Arts and Culture colleague Pallo Jordan.

Also included were the �top five� of the SA Communist Party � Blade Nzimande, Jeremy Cronin, Gwede Mantashe, Ncumisa Kondlo and Phumulo Masualle.

Kondlo and Masualle are both from the Eastern Cape. Joining them from the province were former premier Makhenkesi Stofile and former finance MEC Enoch Godongwana, who were re-elected. Masualle and Godongwana have been mentioned as possible future premiers.

ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula was also elected.

Axed from the list were:

� Intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils, regarded as having been involved in assisting Mbeki in the abuse of state resources against Zuma and his allies;

� Deputy-president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka whose husband, Bulelani, former national director of public prosecutions, instituted the investigation against the new ANC president;

� Former ANC chairman and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota who has been at the forefront of attacks on Zuma;

� Businessman and close associate of Mbeki, Saki Macozoma;

� Minister in the presidency Essop Pahad;

� Head of the presidency Smuts Ngonyama;

� Director-general in Mbeki�s office Frank Chikane;

� Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula;

� Provincial and Local Government minister Sydney Mufamadi;

� Deputy defence minister Mluleki George, who led the Mbeki campaign for a third term.

Not one of the nine provincial premiers, including the Eastern Cape�s Nosimo Balindlela and her Western Cape counterpart Ebrahim Rasool � all appointed by Mbeki � made the list.

Finance minister Trevor Manuel was re-elected, although at number 57, down from the top spot he filled five years ago.

Pilloried health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang made it at number 55 � 22 places behind her former deputy, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, whom Mbeki fired. And there were places too for Tony Yengeni, his wife Lumka, and former National Intelligence Agency head Billy Masethla, also axed by Mbeki.

Both Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale were re-elected.

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