ANC NEC reached consensus not to recall Zuma

Mantashe briefed the media in Johannesburg after the party's gruelling extended NEC meeting where the party's leadership was debated.

Mantashe says the party's NEC never votes on a topical issue, but rather debates until consensus is reached. 

The Secretary General says every NEC member was given the opportunity to voice their opinion and at times the debate was very difficult.

"We allowed the debate, because in our diagnosis there was this item and it was time to unpack that item. The essence of the engagement and discussion is persuasion in order to arrive at a consensus," says Mantashe.