After the pomp and ceremony of his inauguration as president of the country, Kgalema Motlanthe will find himself with a heavily laden in tray bequeathed to him by former president Thabo Mbeki.
First on the new president’s list will be dealing with the soon-to-be released report by former parliamentary speaker Frene Ginwala into the fitness of National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli to head that institution.
The commission was sanctioned by Mbeki, but now Motlanthe will have to decide whether to reinstate Pikoli if Ginwala clears him, or sack him if Ginwala finds he is unfit to do the job.
Motlanthe went from minister without-much-to-do in the presidency to first citizen at lightning speed and will now also automatically assume the position of chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As far as it is known Motlanthe has never attended a SADC meeting but will face his predecessor when Mbeki reports back to the organisation on his continued role as mediator in Zimbabwe.
Several Bills that will need the presidential signature, most notably legislation that sanctions the demise of the Scorpions, as well as laws that will give Parliament the right to amend budgets and therefore tell the finance minister how to spend the taxpayers’ money.
Mbeki started a pardon process last year for South Africans who were convicted of political crimes and who were not refused amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Motlanthe will not only need to conclude this process, but also consider another presidential pardon application — that of convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik.
Motlanthe will also need to decide whether he wants to appoint a commission of inquiry as suggested by Judge Chris Nicholson, to investigate all the aspects of the arms deal. He will have the support of various opposition parties but the ANC will probably want to dissuade him.
The new president will need to find a new champion for the War Room on Poverty, which was launched with great fanfare in August to help the most poverty-stricken households in South Africa.
The project was the responsibility of deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who has followed Mbeki out of office.
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Urgent issues for the president to deal with
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Frene Ginwala  URGENT  Pikoli report almost ready
Helen Zille  URGENT  Enquiry into arms deal?
Moe Shaik  URGENT  Presidential pardon for Schabir
Baleka Mbete  URGENT  Signature needed: killÂÂtheÂÂScorpions Bill
Tomas Salamao  URGENT  SADC programme for your perusal
Phumzile (Personal)  URGENT  Remember the War Room on Poverty!
Facebook  Jackie Selebi has added you as a friend Facebook
JZ invites you to join the ‘Life after Mbeki’ group
Wetherleys  Discount: 10% off furniture for your new home
Michael Hulley  Final reminder: please pay Zuma’s legal bills
JSC Secretary  URGENT  New shortlist for Con Court judges