Making headlines: Ramaphosa steps up criticism ahead of ANC leadership vote: Dlamini-Zuma warns against bad losers in ANC presidential race: And, Mantashe says Khoza 'playing to the gallery' in ditching hearing

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Ramaphosa steps up criticism ahead of ANC leadership vote

South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a leading contender to become head of the ruling ANC in December, stepped up his criticism of the government yesterday, saying State-owned companies had been "captured" and funds had been looted from them.

Ramaphosa's remarks during a speech to an ANC meeting in Kimberley were tougher than others he has made on government graft, signalling the issue will be a main theme of his campaign.

He also took aim -- without naming them - at the wealthy Gupta family, friends of President Jacob Zuma who have been accused of using undue influence to win lucrative State contracts. Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

Dlamini-Zuma warns against bad losers in ANC presidential race

Contenders for the presidency of the ANC should not let losing cause divisions in the movement, presidential candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said yesterday.

Dlamini-Zuma said in Nyanga, about 20km southeast of the Cape Town CBD that if the branches elected a person that person should accept the nomination and must have a spirit to win, but have an understanding that they could lose.

Dlamini-Zuma told the hundreds of people packed into the Zolani community centre that democracy should not divide an organisation.

And, Mantashe says Khoza 'playing to the gallery' in ditching hearing

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has rubbished ANC MP Makhosi Khoza's fears that her disciplinary hearing was an opportunity for an ambush.

Speaking at the Oliver Tambo memorial lecture in Vosloorus, about 30km south of Johannesburg yesterday, Mantashe said the ANC would have been playing to the gallery if they would have allowed Khoza to determine the venue for the hearings.

Mantashe said he was asked by a journalist why the ANC did not consider Khoza's claims that her life would be in danger if the disciplinary hearings were held yesterday.

Mantashe said he instructed the ANC in KZN to continue the hearings as planned.

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today