Africa Confidential understands that Thandi Modise the new Defence Minister who enjoys wide support within the ANC is being eyed by Ramaphosa as the leading candidate for deputy president at the party's elective conference next year...

'Thandi Modise is now the obvious choice for deputy...

The inquiry was recommended in a report by an expert independent panel led by former Constitutional Court judge Bess Nkabinde which was handed to the National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise on 25 February...

Serving officials who are not under pressure to step aside include deputy finance minister David Masondo who is accused of abusing the criminal justice system to get back at his girlfriend; Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Minister of Small Business Development who has a high court judgment against her; Thandi Modise National Assembly Speaker who was charged with cruelty to animals and Derek Hanekom who by his own admission conspired with the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to topple Zuma; deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Sindisiwe Chikunga; and Zizi Kodwa deputy Minister of State Security...

Parliamentary Speaker Thandi Modise's handling of the protests by Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) which held up Ramaphosa's speech by an hour – got the best reviews...

Mathole Motshekga former ANC Chief Whip is proposed as Justice Minister; Kenny Moimang a Zuma supporter and former acting chairman of the ANC in the Northern Cape would become the Human Settlements Minister; Ebrahim Rasool former Ambassador to Washington would be offered Minister of Mineral Resources; Thandi Modise the Deputy Speaker who switched to backing Ramaphosa would get the Labour portfolio...

The slate needs to include at least one woman and we understand she is being considered for the deputy Secretary General's slot which was initially earmarked for Thandi Modise the Deputy Speaker of Parliament...

In the mineral-rich Northwest Province Premier Thandi Modise's tenure was rife with factional strife and patronage problems...

($92 000) splashed out on a new BMW for North West Province Premier Thandi Modise...

It calls for the election of Motlanthe as party President Phosa as Deputy President Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula as Secretary General Deputy SG Thandi Modise as Chair and Sexwale as Treasurer...