Premiers plan to oust Mathabatha
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THE premier league, through their Limpopo disciples, allegedly led by Limpopo ANC Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi, is lobbying for the removal of Premier Stan Mathabatha from office before his term of office expires in 2019.
This was according to a document that has been circulating among ANC leaders and officials in the province recently.
The so-called premier league is an unofficial and unconfirmed bloc made up of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West premiers David Mabuza, Ace Magashule and Supra Mahumapelo, respectively.
The document, whose author is anonymous, stated that Mathabatha was a weak leader who ceded his political and administrative powers to the party’s provincial treasurer, Danny Msiza.
Also, according to the document, Mathabatha, together with Chief Livhuwani Matsila and ANC stalwart Joe Mathebula, was part of the so-called CR17 campaigners that wanted Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to replace President Jacob Zuma come the party’s elective conference in December next year, while Seabi and his sympathisers preferred outgoing African Union chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
As calls for a reshuffle in the province gain strength, the chop is likely to fall from the head down. The premier league wants Stan removed as premier as soon as possible,” the document stated.
Communication Minister Faith Muthambi, Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, current Limpopo legislature deputy speaker Lehlogonolo Masoga and former deputy provincial chairman Dickson Masemola are named as Mathabatha s possible replacement.
Whereas naturally it is supposed to be Jerry Ndou as deputy chairperson it appears there shall be a deviation. He is not viewed as somebody who has asserted himself as a leader since his election as deputy chair,” stated the document.
The document states that the move would give Seabi the power to influence the appointment of Mathabatha s successor.
Nocks would prefer Faith Muthambi to be appointed premier in that case. She is a strong ally of the premier league and is also close to the president. Next in line is Dickson Masemola who is also supported by Nocks. Dickson is also a JZ ally and would therefore be a good premier league deployee. The reluctant dark horse in this race is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. She is comfortable at national level both at government and as ANC Women’s League treasurer general (TG).
Current deputy speaker in the legislature Lehlogonolo Masoga is an ANC Youth League darling but is considered to be still too young.”
The document reveals that Seabi has been lobbying for former Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale and former Limpopo ANC secretary Joe Maswanganyi for ministerial positions. They are likely to get the posts at JZ’s next reshuffle (sic). His argument is that Limpopo cannot always support without gaining anything. It will be the first time Limpopo gets a seat in the top six.”
Reacting to the contents of the document, Seabi said: Firstly, I’m not aware of any existence of the socalled premier league and secondly I’m not leading any premier league cabal.
Seabi further said he had confidence in the leadership of Mathabatha and allegations that he was driving a campaign to unseat him were untrue. Decisions of the ANC are taken collectively by us in the provincial executive committee (PEC) or provincial working committee, I don’t know about others. I also have confidence in his administration, he said.
Seabi refused to nail his colours to the mast when asked whether he would support Ramaphosa or Dlamini-Zuma.
It is not whether or not we should be led by a male or female or the ANC deputy president should automatically be the president when the incumbent’s term of office expires. The ANC defines a destination and identifies the leader whose vision would help us arrive at that destination,” he said. Msiza declined to comment. One of his allies, who did not want to be named, said the notion that Msiza wanted Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma was utter nonsense.
Msiza has been engaging with the premier league for some time now. He too wants Dlamini-Zuma to take over. What he doesn’t want is a contest between Cyril and Nkosazana because that will be the end of the ANC. He is lobbying the premier league and other provinces to agree on the top six names led by Nkosazana to avoid a contest that will see those defeated leaving the ANC. There is consensus about Nkosazana between Danny and Nocks, said the ally.
The ally accused Seabi sympathisers of authoring of the document. Remember the Limpopo elective conference is in 2018, so Nocks s people hope by projecting Stan and Danny as CR17 drivers, the premier league will disband the PEC after the 2017 national conference and elect them to positions of power,” he said. Muthambi declined to comment. Why are you phoning me, don’t drag me into this thing,” she said.
Chief Matsila said: As for me, there is no proof of the allegations against me. I am just an ordinary ANC member and a volunteer where needed, like during the local government elections recently.
I’m a traditional leader and my focus is on community work. I don’t have a say in the decision-making of the ANC. We are concerned about unity in the ANC. We, as traditional leaders, would like to see a united ANC that will deliver services to the people, he said.
Mathebula said: Yes I am aware of the document. Nobody took it serious. It is very fishy.”
Speaking on behalf of Mathabatha, spokesman Phuti Seloba said they were aware of the document but did not take it seriously.
Masoga, Masemola and NkoanaMashabane were not available for comment.
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