The ANC’s elective conference, scheduled for December, may see a new party president be crowned. One of the latest names thrown into the hat to contest for the position, is that of former health minister Zweli Mkhize.

Addressing the media in eThekwini, Mkhize confirmed that he would accept should ANC branches nominate him to contest the ANC presidency. “If there is such a nomination, it will be accepted.”

There has been speculation that Mkhize was only willing to contest the ANC deputy president position.

The speculation gained credence following Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s recent announcement that she would stand should ANC branches nominate her to contest President Cyril Ramaphosa — who will be seeking re-election at the ANC national elective conference.

However, Mkhize — who made the announcement in Durban on Wednesday night — made it clear that he was aiming for the highest position within the party.

There have also been speculations that Mkhize, who hails from Willowfontein in Pietermaritzburg, would join forces with Dlamini-Zuma.

But Mkhize said there have been no such discussion between himself and Dlamini-Zuma.

Digital Vibes scandal

Last year, Mkhize resigned as health minister after the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) implicated him in the Digital Vibes scandal.

However, Mkhize told reporters that he was challenging the SIU report in court.

Mkhize, who later on Wednesday evening delivered the Victoria Mxenge Memorial Lecture, accused certain ANC leaders of using the party’s step-aside policy, which forces ANC members facing criminal charges to step down from their position, for ulterior purposes.

According to Mkhize, who is also a member of the ANC national executive committee, the step-aside rule was being used to purge those who have been identified as political threats to certain ANC leaders.

“Some of the [people in the] provinces feel intimidated, they’re worried that they’ll be followed, that they’ll be investigated — you cannot have two types of justice.”