For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa is ANC’s top candidate in leadership race, SACP disappointed by Concourt ruling on Janusz Walus  and, Sars does about-turn and welcomes back two employees axed in 2017

Ramaphosa is ANC’s top candidate in leadership race

As the ANC prepares for its upcoming 55th National Conference in December, President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the branch nominations for party with 2 037 votes while Zweli Mkhize challenges him with 916 nominations.

Announcing the final list today, the party’s Electoral Committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe said 89% of the ANC branches have successfully participated in the nomination process, surpassing the 70% threshold required for the National Conference.

The conference will take place between December 16 and 20 at Nasrec, in Johannesburg.

For the position of ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile received 1 791 nominations, Ronald Lamola collected 427 and Oscar Mabuyane received 397.

Battling it out for the National Chairperson position, Stanley Mathabatha collected 1 492 nominations, Gwede Mantashe received 979 votes and David Masondo received 501 nominations.

SACP disappointed by Concourt ruling on Janusz Walus 

South African Communist Party general secretary Solly Mapaila reacted to the Constitutional Court ruling on Janusz Walus by stating that it was “sickeningly disappointing” and claimed that the judgment failed to protect the party’s right to exist as communists.

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court ruled that Walus - who gunned down SACP leader Chris Hani nearly 30 years ago - should be released on parole within 10 days.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said more than 15 years had passed since Walus had become eligible for parole.

Mapaila explained that the judgment did not say anything about the submissions made by the SACP and the Hani family when the court heard the matter.

He also said the judgment has far-reaching implications that compel the SACP to analyse it deeper and look for a new way forward.

Sars does about-turn and welcomes back two employees axed in 2017

The South African Revenue Service has dropped its opposition to the reinstatement of two staff members axed in 2017 for refusing to partake in the company's restructuring.

Former employees Hope Mashilo and Tshebeletso Seremane have been asked to return to the tax agency "at their earliest availability", roughly five years after they were dismissed.

The decision comes ten days after Sars publicly apologised and paid compensation to a dozen former staff members hounded out of the agency during the era of State capture.         

Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter acknowledged this week that the agency's actions five years ago had a "devastating and profound impact on the lives of Ms Mashilo and Ms Seremane and their families". 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@PolityZA]