Eric Naki

Eric Naki

Supporters of ANC president Jacob Zuma scooped all the leadership positions in a tight contest and amid high tensions between two camps at the West Rand regional conference at the weekend.

The conference, held in Magaliesburg from Friday to Sunday, took place against the background of an earlier recommendation from the Gauteng provincial executive committee (PEC) that it should be postponed because of alleged intimidation and irregular registration of delegates.

Some of the branch delegates even threatened to boycott the conference unless the Gauteng ANC provincial leadership intervened to save the situation.

But after heated discussions between the PEC, outgoing regional leadership and branch delegates before the start of the conference on Friday, it was finally agreed that it should proceed.

The leadership contest and "block vote" results saw, among others, Randfontein council chief whip Mpho Nawa being elected as chairman and Mogale City council speaker Noluthando Mangole as deputy chairman.