Sechaba ka’Nkosi
Divisions within the African National Congress’s top structures this week spared Gauteng MEC for Safety and Security Jessie Duarte her job for the time being, despite growing pressure on Premier Mathole Motshekga to sack her.
Senior officials in the party are said to have been furious at Duarte’s decision this week to withdraw from the Moerane commission of inquiry into allegations of mismanagement against her, because she could no longer afford to pay her legal team.
They accused Duarte of trying to blackmail the commission. Other officials in her department being scrutinised are paying their own costs.
The Mail & Guardian has established that Duarte’s decision to withdraw from the commission was taken with the knowledge of at least three senior ANC officials: National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, Mpumalanga Premier Mathews Phosa and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Lindiwe Sisulu- Guma.
The three are understood to have been advising Duarte since the commission was appointed by Motshekga three weeks ago. Duarte allegedly phoned them this week before making her decision to withdraw public – a step seen by insiders as her first salvo at a commission she feels was appointed to plot her downfall.
President Nelson Mandela and Graa Machel are also known to have visited Duarte at her Johannesburg home to express support.
Duarte said on Tuesday she is not happy with the way in which Motshekga has handled opposition parties’ allegations against her, defying an official embargo on commenting to the media unless authorised by the premier’s office. She also said she believes people in the provincial Cabinet are “out to get her”.
On Tuesday evening ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe met senior provincial leaders, including health MEC Amos Masondo, his transport counterpart, Paul Mashatile, and Obed Bapela, chair of the provincial standing committee on safety and security.
The three endorsed a recommendation to oust her, albeit reluctantly, because they believe the situation is getting out of hand and could prove costly in the run-up to elections.
Motshekga, however, rejected the suggestion because he did not want to be seen to be settling old scores.
The ANC has strongly denied Duarte’s future in the party was discussed. But sources say it was decided at the meeting that Motshekga should be given “a free rein” to take whatever action he pleases.
He opted for an urgent Gauteng Cabinet meeting to present Duarte with a choice: accept the government’s assistance with her legal fees, or face public humiliation by the ANC and provincial structures.
So serious are the divisions about Duarte that the Gauteng provincial conference scheduled for the end of this month might be postponed to give the party time to resolve its wrangles.