The energy deal has thrust Finance Minister Godongwana a former trade unionist and the National Treasury into the midst of a brewing political showdown between President Cyril Ramaphosa and supporters of Paul Mashatile...

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile who has been waiting to be appointed as Ramaphosa's deputy president is now chair of the powerful deployment committee with his close political ally Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane also appointed to the committee (AC Vol 64 No 4 Mashatile set to be the heir presumptive)...

This has ramped up concerns among the supporters of ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile that Ramaphosa may not appoint him as his deputy president of the country but choose an ally such as Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi or a proven technocrat such as former Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas (AC Vol 64 No 4 Mashatile set to be the heir presumptive)...

In spite of some last minute ructions it looks a matter of time before Paul Mashatile who outsmarted the Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize camps at the African National Congress's elective conference in December is sworn in as Deputy President (AC Vol 63 No 25 elective conference President's fate rests with party)...

So while he will take the matter on review he will also subject himself to other processes of the integrity commission ' Paul Mashatile ANC Treasurer-General and acting Secretary-General told the media after the meeting...

Given the doubts about Mkhize's candidacy due to the case against him for improper procurement contracts the beneficiary of this latest leadership crisis could be Paul Mashatile the popular former premier of Gauteng who is well ahead in the nominations for the ANC's deputy presidency...

Race for the top six Beyond the presidency and deputy presidency where Cyril Ramaphosa and Paul Mashatile had sewn up the nominations before the parliamentary panel's bombshell report on the Phala Phala affair on 30 November the other four top posts in the African National Congress hierarchy are set to be fiercely contested: secretary-general deputy secretary-general chairperson and treasurer-general (AC Vol 63 No 22 Ramaphosa names his party allies)...

' ANC treasurer-general and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile reported that 85% of branches have so far submitted their nominations for the conference but several are disputing some of the procedures saying they have been unfairly disqualified from attending (AC Vol 63 No 22 Ramaphosa names his party allies)...

In a surprise move the ANCYL favoured former health minister Zweli Mkhize for president and party Treasurer-General and acting Secretary-General Paul Mashatile for deputy president...

Discontent over the multiple powerful positions accumulated by African National Congress Secretary-General Paul Mashatile was behind President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision not to make him his running mate and to opt instead for Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu Africa Confidential understands...