Durban - Six shortcomings as head of government, in the ANC’s view, prompted its removal of KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu and his replacement by MEC Willies Mchunu.
It has also emerged that more axings are in the wind in the provincial cabinet after Willies Mchunu is sworn in.
The party’s chairman in KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, and his provincial executives, confronted the premier with the perceived faults on Friday and sought Mchunu’s resignation by on Monday.
This Mchunu did, and he is still to decide on an offer of redeployment to Parliament as an MP.
The ANC in KZN on Monday night defended the recall, saying it had followed all the party’s internal procedures. It had assessed the government, had conveyed this to the party’s national leadership, and had received approval to act.
It had also submitted the names of three possible replacements for Mchunu.
When Zikalala replaced Senzo Mchunu in November as leader of the ANC in the province, the party told the premier he should ensure government programmes were aligned to the ruling party’s priorities in the run-up to municipal elections.
It said there would be an assessment in six months. It was this evaluation that had led to the ousting.
On Monday night the ANC in KZN downplayed the impact it would have on their preparations for the local government elections on August 3.
Party insiders have also indicated that Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu will possibly be replaced by Zikalala. Willies Mchunu is set to be replaced in the Transport, Community Safety and Liaison portfolio by Mxolisi Kaunda, and Agriculture MEC Cyril Xaba by Mthandeni Dlungwane.
Speculation is that Education and Sports and Arts and Culture MECs Peggy Nkonyeni and Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha respectively are also expected to be replaced.
Senzo Mchunu announced his resignation at his Empangeni home on Monday, days after news broke that he had been ordered to step down after meeting the provincial leaders on Friday.
He is expected to take up a seat previously occupied by former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in the National Assembly.
At a press conference in Durban on Monday night, ANC provincial secretary, Super Zuma, said Mchunu’s removal followed an assessment of the state of governance in KZN and extensive consultation with the national executive committee (NEC).
While wishing him well in his new job, Zuma called on KZN people to accept and respect that Mchunu had resigned.
“We call on all our structures, members and supporters to welcome and accept the position of the movement in response to the current development.”
In a statement, Mchunu dismissed statements linked to him since news of his recall surfaced last Friday.
“Neither I nor my family have made any statement or demands regarding the management of the current situation,” he said.
He, however, confirmed raising reservations with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe on Saturday about the role of head office in the management of his departure.
“He (Mantashe) specifically explained to me the decision to allow the provincial government reshuffle and their intentioned deployment to the National Assembly.”
Mchunu said he would co-operate with the decision of the national working committee and “would respond in writing on the issue of redeployment”.
Zikalala would not be drawn on the contents of the assessment of the premier or claims by Mchunu that six charges were levelled against him.
“It is not a question of allegations or charges. It is an assessment report,” Zikalala said. He insisted they would not fall into a trap of discussing in the media the contents of the report.
Zikalala said Mchunu had not been dumped through the redeployment and also warned about narrowing the interest of KZN people to individuals.
“We are grateful for the work he has done for the people of KZN. He is not deserted. He has the mandate and support of the ANC.”
Zikalala and Zuma downplayed the impact of Mchunu’s removal as premier. Zuma said the consequence of his removal had not been an issue.
“We did not even think about it,” he said.
Zikalala said: “He will still be part of the election campaign. The ANC will work to win the elections. We are ready,” he said.
The date of Willies Mchunu’s inauguration is expected to be determined by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. Zuma said there would be consultation with the legislature. However, according to the legislature programme, there will be a full sitting in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
Zuma would not be drawn on the appointment of new MECs, amid speculation that four MECs would be axed.
Zikalala said the ANC had not issued a statement with the names of MECs to be axed or to be appointed as had appeared in the media over the past days.
Daily News