The ANC in the Eastern Cape has announced that it will reshuffle the cabinet in the province within the next 14 days. This is after relations between the current PEC and some deployees in cabinet have reached an all-time low. Provincial Secretary, Lulama Ngcukayithobi, says they are not convinced some of their deployees are capable of holding their positions.
The proposed changes are set to be implemented in two weeks. Speculation has been rife since the violent scuffle between two factions which left a number of people injured at the provincial elective conference, last year.
The new provincial leadership will see a reshuffle. But the proposed changes will have to be sanctioned by Luthuli House first.
Ngcukayithobi says they have made a thorough review and will send names to the NEC for approval.
“We have agreed that the PEC working with the provincial officials should make a thorough assessment and make proposals about reconfiguration of the provincial government meaning tempering with the provincial cabinet of the Eastern Cape. In implementing that particular decision there’s a necessity that the provincial officials meet with the NEC of the ANC to make that presentation concur with them and charge that particular resolution,” says Ngcukayithobi.
Ngcukayithobi added that the PEC is also planning to take over some functions of municipalities, such as Sara Bartmaan, Makana, Kouga and Amathole District. “We have decided that because of elements of chaos in some of the municipalities the provincial executive takes over certain functions. Part of those functions is to oversee caucuses of the ANC and local governments in terms of all the district municipalities and all metros. Because of the challenges in Makana, Sara Baartman and Kouga, the PEC will take over those municipalities. Because of the chaos and challenges in Amathole the leadership of the ANC provincially will take over.”
The PEC has also warned that those implicated in the Nelson Mandela Funeral scandal report by the public protector and who intend to challenge its findings in court, will do it from their own pockets.
It has also advised the NEC to listen to the views of South Africans when it comes to recalling President Jacob Zuma. The leadership says the NEC should act speedily on this issue.
