THE race for the ANC Gauteng provincial leadership has taken another twist.

Sowetan has learnt that that Tshwane speaker Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa could be co-opted to the ANC's national executive committee. The move would rule him out of the leadership race.

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane might go head-to-head with current ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile.

Mkhatshwa's name was put forward by a lobby from the Tshwane and Ekurhuleni regions after they disagreed with Johannesburg region over people who should occupy the top five positions.

The Johannesburg region reneged on an agreement to allow regions to be represented in the top five posts.

ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu yesterday said he was not aware of the possibility of Mkhatshwa becoming a member of the NEC.