In a bid to consolidate his power base in a Cabinet already dominated by supporters of embattled ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, KwaZulu-Natal Premier S’bu Ndebele has appointed two known backers of president Thabo Mbeki and a neutral figure to his Cabinet.
Ndebele, one of Mbeki’s staunchest supporters in the internecine ANC succession battle, has found himself isolated by members of his Cabinet who are loyal to his longtime rival, KwaZulu-Natal Finance Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Mkhize is Zuma’s confidante who makes no bones about his explicit support for the former deputy president. While Ndebele is ANC chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal and Mkhize his deputy, Mkhize’s backers have been covertly plotting to unseat Ndebele.
The last bid to oust Ndebele failed during the provincial congress in July when Ndebele caught wind of the plan and performed spectacular political gymnastics when he publicly proclaimed his support for Zuma, even though he had previously nailed his colours to the mast when he called for Mbeki to be given a third term as ANC president.
This ensured he maintained his control of the province and improved immensely his appeal to Zuma’s supporters who had made a practice of booing him and pelting him with stones at ANC and government gatherings.
While Ndebele’s recent fence-sitting exercises have earned him a reprieve from the anger of Zuma supporters, Ndebele has apparently felt disrespected by Mkhize’s supporters in the Cabinet, who include Traditional Affairs Minister Mike Mabuyakhulu, Community Safety and Liaison Minister Bheki Cele and Health Minister Peggy Nkonyeni.
Last week’s decision to replace Inkatha Freedom Party Cabinet members with fellow Mbeki supporters was seen as part of a comeback strategy by Ndebele and the Mbeki camp to dilute Zuma’s support in the Cabinet.
Ndebele appointed Arts, Culture and Tourism Minister Weziwe Thusi to replace disgraced Narend Singh, who resigned after his sexual escapades were captured and circulated on a DVD.
The new ministers — former party chief whip Mtholephi Mthimkhulu and former chairperson of the chairperson’s committee Meshack Hadebe — are known Mbeki supporters, while deputy speaker of the legislature, Lydia Johnson, is understood to be a neutral figure.
The Mail & Guardian understands that the appointments stem from several complaints from Ndebele to his Cabinet that it was not protecting him especially when Zuma supporters were attacking him.
A member of the ANC provincial executive committee told the M&G thatNdebele’s woes stemmed from his own mistake of surrounding himself with Mkhize’s backers, who were now plotting his downfall.
Political analyst William Mervin Gumede believes Ndebele remains a fervent Mbeki supporter who is expected to play a big role in diluting Zuma’s support in the province, especially among voting delegates.
”Ndebele, in his heart of hearts, is not really a Zuma supporter, and when it comes to a secret ballot I’m sure he would vote for Mbeki, even in his sleep. But he most probably read the political temperature in KZN, and decided from a pragmatic point of view at this moment it is better to be ‘seen’ [to be] closer to Zuma.
”I think, by mid-next year when the pendulum swings, Ndebele, (he will read the mood again) and will revert to the Mbeki camp.”