African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) deployees on Sunday said had confidence in the new KwaZulu-Natal leadership saying "it did not need babysitting".

"They will not be running to Luthuli House for help every time they will lead. We are not worried about them at all,” NEC member Jackson Mthembu told reporters.

The NEC addressed the media at the 8th Provincial Conference in Pietermaritzburg after the announcement that former provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala beat former chairperson Senzo Mchunu for the province's top position. 

There was a massive applause when the election results were announced. Zikalala’s supporters ran to him and carried him proudly on their shoulders as they ushered him to the stage.

The hall, which was relatively empty because some of the delegates had left to check out from their hotels, broke out in song clapping and celebrating their victory.

There was a total of 1 459 delegates who voted with Zikalala securing 789 votes and Mchunu, 675. There was no sign of Mchunu during the celebrations.

Incumbent deputy chairperson Willies Mchunu retained his position for a third time. Super Zuma, the chairperson of the Moses Mabhida region was elected the new provincial secretary and Mluleki Ndobe from the Harry Gwala region was elected deputy secretary.

Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who served as deputy secretary, was elected as the new treasurer.

NEC member Joe Phaahla said the elections were free and fair.

Phaahla said all the positions in the top five were contested and there was 100% participation from delegates who registered.

“We expect all lobbying to stop now,” said Phaahla.

He said delegates who did not make it into the top five automatically qualified to be nominated  as additional members.

Phaahla said there was nothing new in the provincial chairperson not serving as the premier of the province.

Senzo Mchunu is the KwaZulu-Natal premier.

“This is something that is happening in Northern Cape and Gauteng where the chair is not necessarily the premier and I think they will work well together.”

Phaahla said the NEC had confidence in Zikalala.

“He has a good track record; he served as the secretary of the youth league and progressed to being the deputy secretary to the outgoing chair Senzo Mchunu. They have worked together for more than a decade.”

He admitted that the competition was “intense”.

“The position of the secretary is a full time job and paid by the ANC. The position of chairperson is not a full time position, so we will meet and see how best to utilise Sihle,” said Phaahla.

Voting for additional members is expected to take place on Sunday.

News24.com