/ 2 August 2008

Mbeki set to hold E Cape

The new Eastern Cape Premier, Mbulelo Sogoni, is expected to announce a slew of new cabinet ministers on Friday, with President Thabo Mbeki’s loyalists likely to lead the pack.

Sogoni was sworn in on Thursday despite strong objections from the ANC’s alliance partners Cosatu and the SACP, had favoured SACP treasurer Phumulo Masualle for the top job.

Sogoni replaced Nosimo Balindlela, who was forced to resign by the new ANC leadership for failing to improve service delivery in the province.

The Eastern Cape is one of two provinces whose leadership is dominated by Mbeki supporters and where the party’s national leadership had to accept their recommendation.

Balindlela said in a statement after her axing that she was not bitter, but the tone of the statement suggested otherwise.

”I leave this position with a grateful heart, no regrets, no bitterness and full of forgiveness for those who have vilified me,” she said.

”I was operating in an environment of sharks and hyena’s [sic], pollution and infestation. I have made a lot of enemies by saying no to corruption and no to laziness.

”I have not robbed my people, I have not stolen from their resources and I have served them with honesty, integrity and humility.

”My resignation has not been well handled by either the press or the national executive committee.”

In an apparent compromise with ANC president Jacob Zuma’s camp, Masualle is expected to be given the powerful finance portfolio.

Former ANC provincial secretary and the current chairperson of the provincial standing committee on education, Mahlubandile Qwase, is expected to replace Johnny Makgato as provincial education minister.

Provincial ANC deputy secretary and chairperson of the standing committee on public works, Pemmy Majodina, and the deputy speaker of the Eastern Cape legislature, Gloria Barry, are likely to take over ministries of health, and roads and transport.

Roads and transport has been separated from the department of safety, security and liaison, headed by Thobile Mhlahlo, in a move aimed at redressing the roads backlog in the province. It is not clear whether Mhlahlo will be retained as provincial safety minister.

Eastern Cape ANC spokesperson Andile Nkuhlu confirmed that Sogoni will make changes to the provincial cabinet on Friday, but refused to divulge more details.

It is understood that the ANC’s national working committee has given the provincial working committee the go-ahead on the proposed names. However, the decision will first be tabled in the provincial executive committee on Friday before Sogoni makes the announcement.

Eastern Cape ANC leaders are expected to meet the top echelons of Cosatu and the SACP on Thursday to discuss the changes.

SACP provincial secretary Xolile Nqatha told the Mail & Guardian his party is unhappy with the cabinet changes.

The SACP respected the ANC’s decision on Sogoni’s appointment, he said, but the party believes he cannot meet the challenges facing the province.

”As we said when we met at the alliance meeting last week, we do not agree with this decision. Sogoni has been part of the team that has failed our people, who suffer because of poor service delivery.

”His appointment represents the same medicine in another bottle,” said Nqatha.

The SACP would table a different list of names from that proposed by the ANC for the health, education, roads and transport and finance portfolios.

It would also propose changes to the Eastern Cape’s social development and local government and housing functions.

”More than 99% of municipalities [in the province] are crisis ridden. Of 45 municipalities, 42 have been given qualified reports by the Auditor General. There has to be change,” said Nqatha. He added that the SACP would do everything in its power to defend the political space opened by the ANC’s Polokwane conference in December last year.