NDIVHUWO MUSETHA and JUSTIN ARENSTEIN, Johannesburg | Sunday
PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki is expected to announce the axing of two provincial premiers as well as a major cabinet reshuffle when he returns to South Africa from the United Nations Millenium 2000 Summit of world leaders in New York.
Speculation is mounting that the African National Congress re-deployment committee is finalising a comprehensive list of high profile members to be re-deployed, including the removal of two premiers, Mpumalanga’s Ndaweni Johannes Mahlangu and the Free State’s Winkie Direko.
Mbeki’s close confidante, Northern Province Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, is expected to leave the provincial premiership and take over as minister of water affairs and forestry, a position currently held by Ronnie Kasrils.
The latter is said to be headed for the ministry of national intelligence. Kasrils has been handling intelligence affairs since the incumbent minister Joe Nhlanhla suffered a stroke a few weeks ago. It is believed these latest changes were recommended by the re-deployment committee headed by deputy president Jacob Zuma two weeks ago.
Ramatlhodi’s job is expected to be taken by deputy minister of environmental affairs and tourism Joyce Mabudafhasi. Ramatlhodi’s spokesperson Kenny Mathivha declined to comment.
It is also being speculated that Local Government and Provincial Affairs Minister Sydney Mufamadi was hoping to get the post, as was public works MEC Collins Chabane.
Mahlangu, who was hospitalised for a few days at the Pretoria Heart Hospital with an undisclosed illness last week – his office claimed he was hospitalised with severe exhaustion – is expected to be sacked for poor performance although health reasons could possibly be given for his ousting.
Direko is said to be in poor health but has also not performed well. Her surprise appointment in June last year was seen as a stop gap measure while the party leadership was trying to close the serious divisions within the ANC provincial structures.
It is widely speculated that deputy education minister Smangaliso Khatshwa will replace Mahlangu. Mkhathshwa’s spokesperson Willie Baloyi has declined to comment on this speculation, saying neither he nor Mkhatshwa had been notified about any possible move.
Mbeki is expected to axe Mahlangu and at least three provincial executive council members. These are the controversial public works, roads, transport, safety and security MEC, Steve Mabona, Welfare MEC, Busi Coleman and Land Administration MEC David Mabuza.
All three have repeatedly featured in corruption or other scandals since 1994. – African Eye New Service