Former president Jacob Zuma has indicated that he is willing to stand for election at the ANC's December elective conference.
This despite the party's contentious step-aside resolution which states that he is ineligible for nomination.
Zuma is currently facing fraud and racketeering charges for the 1990s arms deal and is on medical parole after being sentenced for not returning to the Zondo commission.
Zuma confirmed that he had been approached “by a number of cadres to make myself available for the position of national chairperson of the ANC, to contribute in the rebuilding of the organisation and to provide direction”.
“I have indicated that I will be guided by the branches of the ANC and that I will not refuse such a call should they deem it necessary for me to serve the organisation again at that level or any other.”
Zuma's name appears at the top of an ANC list being circulated in various quarters of the party.
Zuma said he was standing behind Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in her bid to take on President Cyril Ramaphosa at the December conference.
He said despite rumours about his leadership preferences for the coming conference, he had not shifted from the position taken in 2017.
“What is strange to me is that the majority of the people who are being talked about now as we go to the 55th national conference are part of the candidates who supported Cyril Ramaphosa in the 54th national conference.
'“Comrades we must not have short memories. In the past few years comrades were overwhelmed by a lot of money, not using political conscience but guided by greed to nominate and vote for African National Congress president. Which led to the significant drop in the national election in 2019 and dismal performance in the metropolitan municipalities and some of the strategic municipalities.
“The candidate that we supported in 2017 at the 54th national conference remains the most capable to lead the ANC, given her track record in the movement and government, leadership capabilities and qualities and her understanding and knowledge of the ANC, amongst others.
“I have heard some few comrades raising some issues with regards to her, but unfortunately they all dismally failed to present a better candidate with better credentials than hers, except those who have a lot of money.
“Unfortunately, it is not those that have a lot of money that counts, on the contrary, it is those who have the capabilities to help lead the ANC and are trustworthy to the principles and policies of the of the ANC,” Zuma said.