ANC Party Election Results Expected Shortly

The ANC's election committee chief Matsila told Businss Day that the vote, count and verification processes in the elections for the party's top seven positions are now completed and the results will soon be announced at a plenary meeting of all delegates. Local media outlets are suggesting that delegates and reporters are now slowly heading to plenary. An earlier News24 report had noted that the results could come out around midday, but it seems it might be worth keeping an eye on that space from now.

• This follows turbulent proceedings of the national elective conference over the weekend, with factional alliances shifting, delegates trading accusations of vote buying and technical glitches causing recurrent delays to the voting process.
• All eyes are on the leadership race, where former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize is believed to have narrowed the gap to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The incumbent remains the favourite due to his notable advantage in branch nominations submitted in the lead-up to the vote.
• Separately, the Mail & Guardian reported that Ramaphosa sought to sideline the frontrunner to become Deputy President, party heavyweight Paul Masathile, but failed to persuade either Ronald Lamola or Oscar Mabuyane to bow out of the race in order to boost support for the other.