ANC NEC to meet amid cabinet reshuffle rumours

It is the first NEC meeting since the resignation of Jacob Zuma as president. 

Speculation is rife that President Cyril Ramaphosa could raise the subject of a cabinet reshuffle. 

ANC spokesperson Khusela Diko, however, says the future of cabinet ministers is not on the agenda.

"The NEC does not discuss cabinet reshuffles. The meeting is called to finalise business that the NEC did not finalise at the last meeting which was held on the 18th of January. 

"In the main this relates to the confirmation of the resolutions of the 54th conference, issues of deployment of the newly elected leadership to the various provinces and the sub-committees they will be heading." 

The position of the country's deputy president could also be up for discussion. 

The position has been vacant since President Ramaphosa was sworn in as the country's new leader. 

There are reports that Ramaphosa could decide to offer the position to the likes of Lindiwe Sisulu or Naledi Pandor, to allow ANC deputy president David Mabuza to finish his stint as premier of Mpumalanga. 

In his maiden State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa hinted at a cabinet reshuffle by saying he would review the make-up and size of government departments.

Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, who has been found guilty of misleading Parliament about Eskom, could find herself outside cabinet.

Another candidate for the chop is Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, who has been strongly linked to the controversial Gupta family and has also been embroiled in a battle with the Chamber of Mines over the revised Mining Charter.