The authority of embattled ANC president Jacob Zuma has been reasserted after his key allies were elected to the party's influential operational structure.

Former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula, former defence force general Siphiwe Nyanda and SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande have all been elected to the national working committee (NWC).

Nyanda's name also appeared together with over 30 recipients of a massive car mark-down from a German company linked to the controversial military acquisition contract.

Ironically, Zuma is facing criminal charges emanating from SA's biggest arms acquisition project that has rattled the ANC leadership.

Other NWC members include President Thabo Mbeki's cabinet ministers who differ with him on partisan issues, such as Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan, who made it known that he disapproved of both Mbeki and Zuma's presidential candidacies, was also elected on to the NWC.

Jordan once spoke out on the impact of Zuma's rape case on the reputation of the party, a taboo subject within the Zuma circle. Zuma was acquitted of rape.

Two senior leaders of the SACP Nzimande and its chairperson Gwede Mantashe are now serving on the ANC's powerful senior organs.

Mantashe was elected the ruling party's secretary-general last month.

The election of Zuma sympathisers on the NWC is likely to create the feared two centres of power.

Mbeki, whose grip on power is slipping away after he lost the ANC presidency, and some of his allies stayed away from the NEC yesterday.

Key Mbeki defender and government policy guru Joel Netshitenzhe also did not attend the NEC meeting.

Their conspicuous absence signals a fractious relationship between the government and the ANC ahead.

The NEC yesterday did not thoroughly discuss the impact of criminal charges against Zuma, even though one NEC member said "we are unmoved on that one". He was referring to the national general council resolution in 2005 to support Zuma on the arms deal criminal case.

However, another NEC member said the matter and other succession division issues had been deferred as the NEC was preoccupied with electing subcommittee members.

However, the Zuma criminal case has proved a nightmarish dilemma for the ruling party as it has to decide on who becomes the country's president and how to fight elections while its president frequents the courtroom.

Opposition parties are already calling for Zuma to step aside.

The full NWC list includes Collins Chabane; Bathabile Dlamini; Jessie Duarte; Tina Joemat-Pettersson; Pallo Jordan; Ncumisa Kondlo; Fikile Mbalula; Nomaindia Mfeketo; Angie Motshekga; Nathi Mthethwa; Maite Nkoane-Mashabane; Siphiwe Nyanda; Blade Nzimande; Dina Pule; Jeff Radebe; Susan Shabangu; Lindiwe Sisulu; Max Sisulu; Makhenkesi Stofile and Tony Yengeni.

With acknowledgements to Deon de Lange, Moshoeshoe Monare and The Star.