E Cape reshu ffle ‘revenge’
Factionalism in the Eastern Cape ANC is as clear as day after Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle was forced to reshuffle his cabinet and fire four members, Democratic Alliance (DA) Eastern Cape leader Nqaba Bhanga claimed yesterday.
Bhanga said the ongoing feud between Masualle and recently elected ANC provincial chairperson Oscar Mabuyane had cost the ANC dearly. Masualle’s detractors want Mabuyane to replace him. The two have been forced to work together after last year’s chaotic elective conference, dubbed the festival of chairs. Bhanga claimed that the reshuffle was about political revenge and not service delivery.
“The ANC six officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, instructed Masualle to fire his MECs. You will see that a number of good MECs were fired,” said Bhanga.
He added that what came as a surprise was the firing of performers and the retention of under-performers.
On Thursday, Masualle announced a reshuffle of his cabinet, firing four MECs who had supported his campaign to be chairperson leading up to last year’s provincial elective conference. Bhanga said MEC for Education Mandla Makupula was retained despite the worrying state of education in the province.
“The only axing we celebrate is that of MEC Helen Sauls-August. For the past five years, since she was MEC for human settlements, she has not attended one meeting of all MECs with the minister because of her political differences with Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu. “She cares less about the housing problems our people are confronted with than about playing politics. This is how the ANC looks at issues. They don’t care about the plight of people,” said Bhanga.
Replacing Sakhumzi Somyo, Mabuyane is new head of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism. The others sacked were Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Nancy Sihlwayi and Thandiswa Marawu. The additions to Masualle’s executive are Mabuyane’s deputy, Mlungisi Mvoko, SACP provincial secretary Xolile Nqatha and deputy speaker Bulelwa Tunyiswa. Some ANC members will approach the High Court in Grahamstown next week to bring an application to nullify the reshuffle.