Now fraudster will help rule SA

Three independent sources in the national executive committee (NEC) confirmed that convicted fraudster Tony Yengeni, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula, former defence force general Siphiwe Nyanda and SA Communist Party general-secretary Blade Nzimande were elected to the national working committee (NWC).

Former ANC chief whip Yengeni spent months in jail for lying to the national assembly about an underhand car discount associated with the controversial arms deal.

Nyanda's name also appeared among more than 30 recipients of a massive car mark-down from a German company linked to the questionable military acquisitions contracts.

Ironically, Zuma himself is facing criminal charges emanating from South Africa's biggest arms acquisition: these have rattled ANC leaders.

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 dissaproved of both Mbeki and Zuma's presidential candidacy, was also elected to the NWC.

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 as the ruling party's secretary-general at its conference last month.

The election of Zuma sympathisers onto the NWC, which used to be the preserve of Mbeki's cabinet, is likely to create the feared two centres of power.

Mbeki, whose grip is slipping after losing the ANC presidency to Zuma, stayed away as did some of his allies from the NEC yesterday.

Mbeki instead met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Pretoria while members of his organisation's second highest decision-making body assembled in Kempton Park,

Key Mbeki defender and government policy guru Joel Netshitenzhe told Independent Newspapers that he did not attend the NEC meeting.

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

The ANC under Zuma will set a policy direction, derived from conference resolutions, and assert its authority over the Mbeki administration.

The NEC yesterday failed to 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 over the arms deal criminal case.

However, another NEC member said this matter and other divisive succession issues were deferred as the NEC was preoccupied with electing subcommittee members.

Privately, ANC leaders close to Zuma were worried about his court appearances in August when the party's electioneering machine is due to be in top gear.

His impaired ability, as a result of court appearances, to present political reports and provide leadership to the organisation in the middle of legal battles was also a worry.

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