Cyril Ramaphosa is the new president of the ANC, but its top six leadership is split down the middle between the two opposing factions, which could result in paralysis. Ramaphosa’s camp on Monday night reeled from the shock election of Free State chairman Ace Magashule as secretary-general, beating their own candidate, Senzo Mchunu for the powerful post by a mere 24 votes.

Business Day understands that Mchunu had emerged as top candidate for the position after the first count, but national executive committee (NEC) member Nomvula Mokonyane demanded a recount of the  votes for secretary-general. The Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma faction had first asked for a recount for the position of party president, but that result did not change. Reliable sources, who wished to remain anonymous, said the faction had demanded a recount for the secretary-general position twice, after which Magashule emerged as winner by 24 votes. The Ramaphosa camp was still grappling with how to deal with this deve...

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