New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk has been chosen as new premier of the Western Cape in place of the ousted Peter Marais.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the NNP’s Western Cape head council on Wednesday morning.
In terms of its co-operation pact with the African National Congress, the NNP is entitled to the premiership in the province.
Although Van Schalkwyk had the support of senior party members and the ANC for the post, his acceptance of the premiership means he abandons any immediate prospect of a Cabinet position.
Party members said earlier it would not be unprecedented for Van Schalkwyk to be both national and provincial leader, nor did the NNP’s constitution bar this.
Former prime minister PW Botha and former president FW de Klerk held both posts at the same time.
Marais bowed out of the premiership last Friday.
He is defending two sexual harassment lawsuits from NNP colleagues and now faces possible criminal prosecution after a third woman lodged a complaint with the local directorate of public
prosecutions. – Sapa