The new Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela further alienated the provincial African National Congress leadership on Thursday by choosing her cabinet without consulting them.
Senior officials in the ANC complained to the Daily Dispatch that they had expected to meet Balindlela on Thursday, but she failed to attend the meeting, even when they rescheduled it for her.
”She has not sent any apology to say she is not attending our meeting and I phoned her office without success,” said ANC provincial secretary Humphrey Maxegwana.
Instead Balindlela issued a statement to the media saying she would announce her new executive council on Friday.
This comes after disagreements on Wednesday between the leadership and the premier on the restructuring of the finance, economic affairs, environment and tourism department.
They also could not agree on the choice of MECs.
The provincial party officials apparently complained to ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe about Balinlela’s attitude, but were told that Balindlela had the prerogative to appoint MECs of her choice.
Balindlela seems to be acting according to the wishes of the national leadership, having been briefed at the party’s Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg.
MECs to be appointed had apparently been invited to a late night meeting in Bisho on Thursday to be informed about their new portfolios before the press conference on Friday.
Maxegwana said he knew nothing about this press conference.
”It will be unfortunate if she goes ahead with the announcement without input from us or informing us as to the leadership.”
Balindlela could not be reached for comment. – Sapa