Tension between political leaders in EC and deployees
RELATIONS between the new ANC provincial leaders and the party’s government deployees are on shaky ground.
This was revealed by provincial treasurer Babalo Madikizela on the sidelines of the Progressive Youth in Business business breakfast at the East London Golf Club on Thursday.
Asked if the provincial leadership had any intentions of reshuffling the provincial government and recalling premier Phumulo Masualle from office, Madikizela said: “We have not had that discussion as the provincial executive committee and that is not a priority for us.
“However, we don’t really work well with our deployees in government. We have not even met the premier. And the MECs have not been available to attend ANC programmes …”
The provincial leadership would engage with government officials and politicians to find solutions to the impasse, which could affect service delivery if not attended to, he added.
“We don’t have a problem with two centres of power in the Eastern Cape. We are clear that the only centre of power is the ANC.”
Madikizela said the ANC was focusing on implementing radical socio-economic transformation for black people.
Former provincial deputy chairman and provincial treasury MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said he could not comment.
The rift between government employees and the ANC can be attributed to the violence that erupted during the elective conference, leading to chairs being thrown and some delegates suffering injuries.
Masualle contested a third term as party leader against former provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane. After the violence, Masualle and his supporters left the conference, and there have been attempts to have the conference declared invalid. —