ANC tight-lipped on premier’s meeting

SILENCE shrouds the meeting that took place between Premier Sylvia Lucas and the top six officials of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) at Luthuli House on Monday.

Lucas was apparently ordered by members of the NEC to reinstate the MECs she axed from her provincial cabinet shortly before the start of the ANC provincial elective conference earlier this month.

ANC sources stated that the NEC felt that the provincial cabinet reshuffle would set a bad precedent and that while Lucas enjoyed the support of President Jacob Zuma, he was currently too preoccupied with his own personal battles.

A Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting was held yesterday, where the outcome of the NEC meeting was also discussed.

The newly elected ANC

PEC had given Lucas a deadline of May 19 to reverse the reshuffle, but this has not been done yet.

While media reports suggested that the reshuffle was justified because of the alleged diversion of R26 million from the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism to fund the ANC provincial elective conference in Colesberg earlier this month, the ANC denied the allegations as well as that evidence was handed over to the Hawks by the premier.

Lucas had previously indicated that she had declined her nomination to stand as ANC provincial chairperson as she wanted the NEC to review the conference.

ANC national spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, did not reply to media enquiries.

Spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, indicated that Lucas would release a full statement “after having followed due processes”.

She did not specify yesterday whether the premier would comply with the instructions that were issued by the NEC.

Spokesperson for the

ANC in the Province, Naledi Gaosekwe, stated that the ANC would hold a “comprehensive press briefing” today regarding the reshuffle as well as the outcomes of the PEC meeting.