South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected as leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC), a party official has said, paving the way for him to contest the presidency again at the 2024 election.

Mr Ramaphosa, who had been widely tipped to secure a second five-year term as ANC leader at the party’s conference in Johannesburg, beat former health minister Zweli Mkhize in a two-horse race.

He secured the most nominations from rank-and-file ANC members, and is widely viewed as the country’s most popular politician.

Mr Ramaphosa’s re-election campaign was dogged by the “Farmgate” scandal.

In June, it was revealed large sums of foreign currency had been stolen from his farm in 2020.

He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crimes, but questions have been raised about how he acquired the money and whether he declared it.

The announcement of Mr Ramaphosa’s victory was greeted by wild cheers from his supporters in the large conference hall.

South Africa’s rand, banking stocks and local sovereign bonds made gains after his re-election was confirmed.

Mr Ramaphosa’s allies also took top seats in the party, with chairman Gwede Mantashe retaining his position, while Fikile Mbalula was elected secretary-general, taking charge of the day-to-day running of the party.

Mr Mkhize was health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, until he was put on special leave last year after allegations that his department irregularly awarded contracts to a communications company controlled by his former associates.

He has denied wrongdoing over the contracts.

The former minister also campaigned for the ANC leadership during the party’s last leadership contest in 2017, losing out to Mr Ramaphosa.

Reuters/ ABC