Two premiers reportedly fired in ANC shake-up

Necuno

Necuno

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its firing weeked.... :rolleyes: fss, pingo, anc :rolleyes:

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-07-13-premiers-reportedly-fired-in-anc-shakeup

Despite there being no official confirmation by Sunday morning, media reports that the African National Congress (ANC) had fired the premiers of the Western and Eastern Cape were increasing.

The Weekender in Johannesburg reported on Saturday morning that the ANC national executive committee's (NEC) meeting in Esselen Park had decided to sack Nosimo Balindlela and Ebrahim Rasool, but cited only sources.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday evening reported that "reportedly" both Rasool and Balindlela were to be replaced as premiers.

The decision was reportedly taken at the party's tense NEC meeting in Gauteng this weekend as it battles to contain chaos in its structures across the country ahead of next year's general elections, the Sunday Times said.

It quoted an "NEC member" as saying: "While some argued that the decision could be implemented after the 2009 general elections because implementing it now would require the consent of President [Thabo] Mbeki, others argued that it was in line with the Polokwane resolution on the appointment of premiers [that it is a party prerogative]."

An "ANC insider" also quoted in the Sunday Times said: "There was a lot of tension about the removal of Rasool and Balindlela at the NEC meeting on Friday."

The two politicians are being blamed for being part of “divisive factions” in their provinces that have harmed the smooth functioning of their governments, the newspaper reported.

Rasool and Balindlela are known to have supported Mbeki’s failed third-term bid for the ANC presidency at the party’s December conference in Polokwane.

The Sunday Times also reported the ANC was planning to dissolve the newly elected but fractious North West ANC provincial executive committee.

The ANC is expected to hold a press conference on Monday afternoon. ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said on Sunday she would not comment on the matter until the national executive committee (NEC) had finished its discussions.

"I can not comment on the matter until Monday afternoon when the NEC concludes its discussions. I will not talk about the press speculation," Duarte said.

Meanwhile, Mbeki has appointed ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe into Cabinet, the Presidency said on Saturday. Motlanthe will be responsible for the coordination of government business, the statement said.
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Regardless of what one might argue as to the real reasons - getting rid of these premiers clearly appears to be motivated by the lack of support to the Zuma faction ... what makes me wonder is what this is going to do within the ANC to all those who don't support Zuma as fanatically as other do - if they see their preferred leaders being completely wiped out...
 
kilps said:
Regardless of what one might argue as to the real reasons - getting rid of these premiers clearly appears to be motivated by the lack of support to the Zuma faction ... what makes me wonder is what this is going to do within the ANC to all those who don't support Zuma as fanatically as other do - if they see their preferred leaders being completely wiped out...
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Apprently the ANC have no legal right or power to fire them. But they will probably do so anyway. Who, afterall is going to stop them.?:sick:
 
Rozier said:
Apprently the ANC have no legal right or power to fire them. But they will probably do so anyway. Who, afterall is going to stop them.?:sick:
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I just looked it up and it seems that you may be right - according the national and provincial constitutions only the provincial parliament can remove the premier ... and that requires a 2/3rds majority ... which atleast in the Western Cape the ANC does not have. So it'll be interesting to see if the other parties support this.

Also the grounds are 'a serious violation of the Constitution or the law', 'serious misconduct' or 'inability to perform the functions of office.' - so watch court challenges to this one :/
 
And so, after a very dry spell, the cellars of the Western Cape Premier in Tamberskloof shall be restocked with Johnny Walker Blue Label
 
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