Gauteng ANC structures supporting Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's presidential bid suffered a setback in their attempt to lobby the provincial executive committee at a meeting held at the weekend.

Insiders who attended the meeting told Sowetan yesterday the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Gauteng chairman Matome Chiloane, a known president Jacob Zuma loyalist, led a charge of those who declared their support for Dlamini-Zuma to be the next ANC leader.

Sources said he was embarrassed because deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa had the majority support. "ANC Gauteng leaders told him they are aware of views of the ANCYL, ANC Women's League (ANCWL) and Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans' Association (MKMVA).

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"But they said he can't bring the discussion at the meeting because the province was still going to engage its structures."

Chiloane declined to comment. The Gauteng's ANCYL, ANCWL and MKMVA were firm on their support for Dlamini-Zuma.

Although the province has no official position on the succession debate yet, it is widely expected that it will back Ramaphosa.

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Sowetan also understands the ANC in Gauteng wants Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to be the deputy president and its chairman Paul Mashatile to be part of the ANC top six.

ANC Gauteng head of communication Nkenke Kekana said discussions of who should lead the ANC were continuing.

MKMVA provincial chairman Daddy "Bronson" Thinane said Gauteng's support for Ramaphosa was not cast in stone. "We told them in the meeting that we want Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma," Thinane said. "Our firm view is that Dlamini-Zuma should be the next president."