Zamani Saul warns of ‘ugly' ANC succession battle

Scramble for power is ‘toxic thinking’

- By Queenin Masuabi and Setumo Stone

ANC Northern Cape chairperson Zamani Saul has condemned the culture of careerism as “congesting the leadership passage” in the governing party’s succession, and suggests it could be the reason for an “ugly conference in 2027”.

In an interview with Sunday World, the newly re-elected ANC provincial strongman reserved sharp criticism for careerism within the ANC, labelling the scramble for power as “toxic thinking”.

“I cannot look at myself and say that after my term as provincial chair, I must go to the national and become a minister or deputy minister. That leads to an overcrowded, congested leadership passage and an ugly conference in 2027,” he warned, alluding to factional battles that destabilise the party.