`Terror’ Lekota’s position as premier of the Free State lies in the hands of an ANC delegation which will decide whether he has overstepped the power of his position, reports Jacquie Golding-Duffy
The knives are out for Free State premier Patrick “Terror” Lekota, even as a delegation appointed by President Nelson Mandela prepares to defuse the crisis which is threatening to tear the provincial government apart.
Top Free State African National Congress officials this week bluntly told the Mail & Guardian they want the ANC national and provincial leadership to decide whether or not Lekota is to be unseated. On Saturday, the presidential delegation is to meet the provincial government and ANC officials in an attempt to resolve conflicts between Lekota and provincial party structures which date back to 1994, when the premier was ousted as Free State ANC chair.
In the past fortnight, the conflicts have reached crisis point over what are seen as unilateral decisions by Lekota to reshuffle the provincial cabinet.
Those members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) who also serve on the Free State ANC’s executive committee blamed the crisis squarely on Lekota, saying he fails to consult with the party on key issues of policy. They pointed to Lekota’s recent cabinet reshuffle in which the most senior ANC leaders were overlooked.
ANC Free State secretary general and MPL Kaizer Sebothelo says the party does not want to hold Lekota “captive” and will allow him the choice of abiding by ANC policy or “removing himself” from both the government and the party.
A trend has developed within Lekota’s cabinet, says Sebothelo, whereby party members are fired if they challenge him. “He surrounds himself by people who dance to his tune and he continually disregards the importance of maintaining relations with the ANC in the province.”
ANC provincial chair and MPL Pat Matosa says the root of the split is Lekota’s refusal to consult with senior party officials.
“Our view as the ANC is that the premier is where he is today on an ANC ticket. In this light, he should be accountable to the ANC as its supporters elected him to that position.
“It is a tried and tested tradition of the ANC to collectively consult when making decisions, but the premier seems to forget that he is accountable to the ANC as a political party,” Matosa says.
It is believed that Mandela was approached in his capacity as president of the ANC to intervene in a bid to quell the rising tensions.
ANC representative Ronnie Mamoepa says the delegation to the Free State will be headed by Sports and Recreation Minister Steve Tshwete and will include ANC executive members Joe Nhlanhla (deputy minister of intelligence) and Arnold Stofile (ANC chief whip in Parliament).
Mamoepa says the meeting will include the entire Free State ANC executive, including Lekota, and is intended to “find an amicable solution to the matter”.
He reiterated that the dispute is an internal matter, adding “there will be no further comment on the nature of the problem”.
However, the province’s executive members are adamant, saying unless Lekota toes the party line, he must quit the ANC and the provincial government.
Lekota says he is confident the matter will be resolved, but could not discuss the dispute as it is being handled by the ANC national executive committee.
Former Economic Affairs MEC Ace Magashule says the ANC is empowered by its code of conduct to recall Lekota. However, last week Lekota was quoted as saying the Tripartite Alliance was the only body which could recall him. He also said he was unaware of a meeting where a vote of no confidence was passed by fellow ANC comrades.
Magashule says the ANC’s view is clear: “The premier has to learn to consult and accept collective leadership or else he must quit.”
He says he did not resign from the provincial cabinet but was removed, accusing the premier of “misinforming the public”. Earlier reports were that Magashule had resigned after Lekota shifted him from economic affairs to the transport portfolio.
It is understood that Magashule did not at any stage hand in a letter of resignation. He was, however, given clear instructions from the region’s executive committee not to resign although he was considering it owing to the growing discontent with Lekota’s management style.
In 1994, Matosa won the ANC’s provincial elections against Lekota. Matosa was voted in by 33 branches, Magashule received 26 votes and Lekota 22 votes.
According to Magashule, a collective decision was taken prior to the completion of the April elections that Lekota would take up the post of premier.
“He was put into that position by the ANC and our manoeuvring, not because of his personal charm and status,” says Sebothelo.
The Free State dispute is a build-up ahead of the provincial congress in November and is worrying senior ANC executives who fear the split could cause further damaging dissention within the party’s ranks.