Mabuza 'saved' Cyril

DENIED: DLAMINI-ZUMA'S PRESIDENCY BID THWARTED BY MPUMALANGA

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Tributes continue to pour in for former deputy president David Mabuza, whom many see as the man who stopped a second takeover by Jacob Zuma through his proxies.

Although he was initially on the Zuma faction slate before the ANC national conference election in 2017, Mabuza's last-minute withdrawal from supporting then presidential candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was regarded as a betrayal by Zuma supporters.

He joined the Ramaphosa camp, helping it to secure victory as he brought all of his massive Mpumalanga support base to back him against Dlamini-Zuma.

This was regarded as a wise move by many who believed Dlamini-Zuma's presidency would have ensured the continuation of the Zuma status quo, which was unpopular with voters.

Dlamini-Zuma was loyal to the former president and the Gupta brothers, who were fingered for the corporate capture of the state, adored her.