/ 30 September 2008

Limpopo, Free State not discussed at ANC meeting

The replacement of the premiers of Limpopo and Free State was not discussed at the African National Congress national working committee (NWC) meeting, party spokesperson Brian Sokhutu said on Tuesday.

”That matter never came up for discussion during the NWC meeting yesterday [Monday], so we are unable to comment further,” he said of speculation that Limpopo’s Sello Moloto might leave office.

He said the same applied to the reported possible replacement of the Free State’s Beatrice Marshoff.

Regarding a replacement for Gauteng’s Mbhazima Shilowa, who resigned in a show of support for ousted president Thabo Mbeki on Monday, the party’s provincial executive committee is to meet on Wednesday to nominate three people to fill his post. The names will then be forwarded to its national structure for a name to be chosen.

”This will happen within days,” said Sokhutu.

The African National Congress Youth League, in a statement on Tuesday, said it ”respected” Shilowa’s decision to resign but said his ”dissident views” on the decision to remove Mbeki had threatened the principles of the ANC.

”Our acceptance of the resignation of Comrade Mbhazima Shilowa arises from a fundamental principle of organisational discipline … Practically this would mean that when the organisation, after considerable deliberation and discussion, has taken a decision, that decision is binding on all members …”

The league said Shilowa’s ”strong dissident views” on Mbeki’s recall had the potential to erode the ”sterling legacy” he had left in Gauteng. — Sapa