The paper's purchase by Letlaka
Though every attempt was made to eject him from provincial politics during President Thabo Mbeki's era, Free State premier Ace Magashule has resisted and, after 21 years at the helm, is one of the longest-serving ANC provincial chairs.
Magashule is a close ally of Zuma and campaigned for his re-election ahead of the ANC's Mangaung elective conference.
He was re-elected provincial chairperson at the weekend, after last year's elective conference was declared illegal by the Constitutional Court.
His supporters said Magashule's knack for political survival was due to his popularity at the grassroots level and his outstanding track record of service delivery and change in the Free State.
"He is deeply rooted within the masses of our people," said a delegate to the conference.
But though his star continues to shine, Magashule has been harshly criticised for the way he runs his party and government affairs.
Earlier this year, he promoted Elzabe Rockman, a director general in his office, under whom a R48-million tender was awarded to Letlaka Media Group to develop an integrated website system for the province.
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's department is investigating several contracts awarded by his office.
Elective conference
And although the ANC national executive committee (NEC) appointed a provincial task team (PTT) in December to prepare for a rerun of the last elective conference, Magashule is also accused of running parallel ANC structures and marginalising branches opposed to his re-election.
Mpho Ramakatsa, on behalf of disgruntled ANC members in the Free State, said they were preparing to file a new application in court to contest the outcome of last Saturday's conference.
"We are going to court before the end of the month," said Ramakatsa. "We are taking the ANC to court not to ridicule it, but to strengthen it. ANC processes were manipulated and the PTT failed to deal with the issue of parallel structures. Branches were left out of the elective conference. I am informed that at least 60 branches did not participate."
Ramakatsa said Magashule's dominance of local politics was the result of his ability to dispense patronage and manipulate ANC processes to his advantage. "You can't be a mayor or municipal manager if you do not agree with Magashule."
"There's no single municipality in the Free State that is independent of Magashule's influence. He appoints everybody from heads of department to a cleaner. Those that do not toe the line are taken out," said Ramakatsa.
"He has also centralised procurement in his office precisely to control the economy of the Free State. This makes him indispensable to a lot of people."
Internal processes
Mzwandile Hleko, a former ANC member who defected to the Congress of the People, said, contrary to popular belief, Magashule was the most "despised" politician in the province and continued to lead because he was protected by senior ANC leaders at the party's headquarters.
"Luthuli House was able to put in a task team [within days after the judgment] that was 100% constituted by premier Magashule's friends and members of his cabinet," said Hleko.
"They became the referee and players during the conference preparations. It is not a surprise that all of them are now serving as members of the newly elected provincial committee."
Newly elected Free State ANC provincial secretary William Bulwana denied that the conference was illegal and said ANC internal processes were observed.
Bulwana acknowledged that Magashule had been the chair for a long time, but said ordinary people chose to be led by him.
"We all agree that he is the longest- serving provincial chair of the ANC and people are happy with his leadership style," he said. "He interacts with branches and he is a hands-on person. Even when he was an MP in Cape Town, he interacted with ANC structures. He has always been on the ground and I think that's what counts in his favour."
Political analyst David Monyae said Magashule was a survivor. "He knows the game and has played it very well. He also has a thick skin. But for him to survive for another day, he must reach out to those who did not vote for him at the conference and unite the province."