Limpopo premier faces the chop
The ANC in Limpopo has called an urgent special provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting today in what is believed to become the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle in Limpopo.
The party said the meeting, at the party’s provincial headquarters in Frans Mohlala today, would be attended by, among others, Fikile Mbalula and Nathi Mthethwa.
Both Mthethwa and Mbalula are members of the national executive committee (NEC) Limpopo.
The meeting comes after Limpopo premier and ANC provincial chairperson Stanley Mathabatha was allegedly called last week to the Union Buildings by President Jacob Zuma, were he was officially told to make way for a new premier.
The Citizen understands those tipped to replace Mathabatha include former Waterberg district municipality executive mayor Rosina Mogotloane, former education MEC Dickson Masemola and current MEC for cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs Makoma Makhurupetsa.
Makhurupetsa is also the Limpopo ANC deputy provincial secretary.
“The president was very impressed by Mogotloane’s presentation,” said a source close to the presidency.
“It was exuberantly packaged, balanced and charted a way forward billed to redeem the province from the brink of collapse.
“The special PEC meeting today is just a formality and by the end of the week, a new premier will be in place,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Mathabatha would not be drawn into commenting, but his spokesperson, Kenny Mathiba, said it remained allegations that the premier was being recalled.
“All this is aimed at derailing the premier from doing what he does best – delivering services to the residents of Limpopo,” he said.
ANC provincial spokesperson Khumbudzo Ntshaveni brushed aside the reshuffling allegations. “We have only one item at the Special PEC meeting – the Vhuwane debacle,” she said.
“Nothing more and nothing less.”
ANC national executive committee member Jackson Mthembu has referred all queries relating to the recent Cabinet reshuffle to the office of President Jacob Zuma.
Addressing the media on the ANC’s discussion document on communications and the battle
The special PEC meeting today is just a formality and by the end of the week, a new premier will be in place. Source who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal