Those were the days: David Mabuza and the ‘premier league’ were close to then ANC president Jacob Zuma before the 2017 conference . Photo: Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images
In a full circle moment, Deputy President David Mabuza, who allegedly betrayed Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s last conference five years ago, has gone cap-in-hand to the party’s former president in the hope of gaining his support against the incumbent, Cyril Ramaphosa, at December’s leadership contest.
At least five ANC insiders have confirmed that Mabuza visited Zuma’s Nkandla home around 11 September, shortly before he departed for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the inauguration of President William Ruto.
The meeting is said to have come after weeks of negotiations between the aides of the two senior politicians. Insiders say the meeting was initially scheduled for August but was postponed.
It was allegedly also attended by the former SAA board chair, Dudu Myeni.
“It’s an open secret that DD has been wanting to meet president Zuma. It happened but nothing will come out of it,” one insider said.
The insider, who is close to the Zuma faction in the ANC, said Mabuza also went to Nkandla to “personally apologise” for ignoring him over the years.
Another ANC leader from KwaZulu-Natal added that Mabuza left the meeting under the impression that he would have support from Zuma.
According to the party insider, discussions during the meeting concluded on Mabuza and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma partnering to take on Ramaphosa and his allies at the December conference.
“We suddenly saw posters of Mabuza and NDZ [Dlamini-Zuma] going around shortly after that meeting but we knew nothing was going to come of it. He miscalculated,” they said, suggesting that Zuma had played Mabuza at his own game.
One of the insiders said the Mabuza camp was disappointed when Zuma released a statement that only endorsed Dlamini-Zuma for the presidency position.
“That meeting only served the former president. It did nothing for Mabuza and instead he is at a disadvantage. Even if the former president had given him support, the wounds are still fresh to some. It would take a long time to undo what happened at Nasrec,” the insider said, referring to the ANC’s conference in 2017 where Ramaphosa emerged victorious.
Prior to that conference, Mabuza was widely known to be part of the Zuma-backed “premier league”, which benefited from his presidency and assumed control of the ANC.
The group included now suspended secretary general Ace Magashule and former North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo.
The three men, together with the then KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, Sihle Zikalala, were expected to marshal their delegates towards a Dlamini-Zuma victory, but Mabuza allegedly reneged on the plan.
Instead, at the 11th hour Mabuza, then the ANC Mpumalanga chair, and his delegates voted with the CR17 faction, unbeknown to the Dlamini-Zuma camp.
Responding to questions, Mabuza’s special adviser, Mulangi Mphego, denied the September meeting at Nkandla took place, saying: “There is no point in responding to fishing expeditions. The fact is there was no such meeting.”
Despite promising to respond to the Mail & Guardian’s queries, Zuma’s spokesperson, Vukile Mathabela, had not done so by the time of publication.
Mabuza was expected to meet the Zulu royal house and traditional leaders on Thursday.
The Presidency said in a statement that Mabuza was meeting King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini in his capacity as chairperson of the inter-ministerial task team established to respond to matters raised by traditional and Khoi-San leaders.
Mabuza is attending the meeting together with Dlamini-Zuma, in her capacity as the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
Mabuza is said to have the backing of Ntuthuko Mahlaba, who was recently elected as the ANC’s treasurer in KwaZulu-Natal. Mahlaba is said to be in control of some regions in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Two weeks after the alleged meeting between Zuma and Mabuza, the former president released a four-page statement pronouncing Dlamini-Zuma, his former wife, as his preferred candidate.
Zuma said he had been in consultation with leaders of the ANC who had sought his views on the conference and what needed to be done to rebuild the ANC.
Zuma said he found it strange that the majority of contenders being discussed were those who had supported Ramaphosa at the 2017 Nasrec conference.
He said he had not shifted from the position he had taken in 2017.
“The candidate that we supported in 2017 [Dlamini-Zuma] at the 54th national conference remains the most capable to lead the ANC, given her track record in the movement and government, leadership capabilities and qualities and her understanding and knowledge of the ANC, amongst others.
“I have heard some few comrades raising some issues with regard to her, but unfortunately they all failed to present a better candidate with better credentials than hers except those who have a lot of money.”
The former president also reiterated allegations of votes being bought at the Nasrec conference, saying delegates there had been “overwhelmed by a lot of money” instead of being guided by political conscience.
“[This] led to the significant drop in the national election in 2019 and dismal performance in the metropolitan municipalities and some of the strategic municipalities,” he said.
Zuma’s endorsement of Dlamini-Zuma could solidify support for her among branches and regions where he has backing.
Mabuza has struggled to kick-start his campaign for ANC president because many in the party, including those aligned to the Ramaphosa faction, do not trust him.
His long-standing relationship with ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile also failed to assist him in his bid because Mashatile allegedly used his office and that of the secretary general — which he is currently presiding over in an acting capacity — to consolidate support in his own interest.
Mashatile is the front-runner to take over from Mabuza as the ANC deputy president. His allies in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have not endorsed Mabuza for any position.
Mashatile solidified support after the suspension of Magashule, who faces criminal charges, and the death of deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte, which saw him assuming the role of acting secretary general.
Mabuza has, however, received nominations from branches in his home province of Mpumalanga. ANC leaders in the Mabuza camp also believe he has considerable support in KwaZulu-Natal, but much of that was syphoned by Mashatile.
Although talks between KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga officials did not yield an agreement on who should be ANC president, the Mpumalanga top brass is allegedly at odds over the preferred national leadership position. Provincial deputy secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali has allegedly opposed a second term for Ramaphosa.
She is supported by provincial treasurer Mandla Msibi, who was brought back into the fold after murder charges against him were withdrawn. The two provincial figures are expected to lobby support for Mabuza.
This is despite the majority in the provincial executive committee having expressed the view that Ramaphosa should be re-elected with Ronald Lamola as his deputy.
The fracture between Mabuza and Zuma also came to head when Zuma’s son Duduzane stated on social media in 2020 that Mabuza was no longer taking his calls.
In the social media videos, Duduzane claimed that he had helped Mabuza in 2015, even flying him to Russia for medical treatment after he was poisoned.
Mabuza has never responded to the claims, but his ill health has been the subject of debate in parliament. He has on two occasions received medical treatment outside of the country.
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