MONDAY, 8.30AM
PRESS reports on Monday morning confirm that labour minister Tito Mboweni plans to quit (see below). Questioned by reporters, Mboweni did not deny plans to move, but said he would not join the “Great Trek” to the private sector. It is believed that he is hoping to head the ANC’s economic policy unit. He also suggested that Cosatu chief Sam Shilowa might replace him.
FRIDAY, 4.30PM
LABOUR Minister Tito Mboweni indicated on Friday he might leave his current position at the end of his term of office.
“I will be very hard-pressed to come back to this department,” he said in Pretoria after meeting the Federation of Unions of SA and the Congress of SA Trade Unions. He added, however, that he is not considering quitting politics.
Asked if he would take a high-ranking African National Congress position, Mboweni replied “maybe”, but declined to elaborate.
Vacant positions in the ANC include that of secretary-general. When the next labour minister takes over from him, Mboweni said, most of the foundations in his department will have been laid.