As a premier without party political authority, Ebrahim Rasool faces a difficult task when it comes to replacing Western Cape minister of transport Mcebisi Skwatsha.
This week, the provincial African National Congress started discussing the issue and Rasool, who lost the position of party chairperson in June, may find his hands tied over having a replacement of his choice.
Skwatsha, who was instrumental in the premier’s ousting at the ANC provincial conference, resigned from his post on Monday. This followed a meeting of Rasool and the newly elected ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) at the weekend. He will, however, retain a seat in the provincial legislature.
While Skwatsha’s departure from the provincial cabinet was inescapable — the party’s national leaders have resolved that a provincial secretary cannot also serve as a provincial minister — public differences raged between party and premier over the manner and timing.
Rasool had set July 15 as a deadline for the resignation, but provincial ANC chairperson James Ngculu said Skwatsha’s departure would be “collectively managed by the ANC”, without giving a timeframe.
In Monday’s public show of unity Rasool, addressing the issue of the missed deadline, insisted that his office could not be “held hostage by a few days”, while Ngculu promised that the party “does not intend to micro-manage” the premier.
Yet an insider told the Mail & Guardian that tensions are far from over and confirmed that the replacement issue would be discussed by the party.
With an announcement expected next Wednesday, Rasool may decide to use this opportunity for a broader cabinet reshuffle to assert his authority as premier.
But the options are limited for both Rasool and the party should it wish to assert influence by promoting a member of the PEC to the job. The 25-strong committee is dominated by MPs and a collection of eight individuals representing business, rural and civil society.
Of the four provincial ministers supportive of Rasool, only minister of housing Marius Fransman also serves on the PEC, which recently reprimanded him for criticising the conference. Among supporters on the executive committee, Skwatsha’s lobby counts four MPLs and four provincial ministers. The two remaining portfolios are held by former New National Party members.
However, MPL Richard Dyantyi has been touted as a compromise candidate, while MPL Ntombizodwa Magwaza is touted as another because of her links to the ANC Women’s League. Magwaza’s appointment would also boost women’s representation to 25% of the provincial cabinet. Another favourite is PEC member Whitey Jacobs, the ANC chief whip in the provincial legislature.