Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane’s crackdown on corruption is changing the balance of political power in the province.
Her supporters now say she should take over as ANC chairperson. But supporters of the incumbent, Paul Mashatile, believe she is conducting a witch-hunt against Mashatile supporters.
Luthuli House’s decision to deploy Mokonyane ahead of favourite Mashatile initially sparked resistance, with the Youth League vowing that it would give Mokonyane hell if she did not turn down the nomination. The league withdrew its remarks and apologised after intervention from national league president Julius Malema.
But some in the Youth League are still unhappy that Mokonyane did not appoint any youth leader to the provincial executive as the league had proposed. And tensions are resurfacing, partly because Mokonyane is stepping on some sensitive toes.
A Mashatile associate and prominent member of what has been called the Alex Mafia said it was clear that Mokonyane was targeting everyone considered close to Mashatile. The head of the public works department, Sbu Buthelezi, was suspended last week for mismanagement and the provincial government is investigating the Gauteng Shared Service Centre, which is headed by Mike Maile — also a Mashatile ally.
In addition, the provincial government is looking into the affairs of the Gauteng Youth Commission, the chairperson of which was Lebogang Maile, another Mashatile acquaintance. The youth commission is alleged to have blown almost R40-million in one month earlier this year.
By April the commission had exhausted its funds for the year and it has a debt of several million rands. The Mail & Guardian understands that government turned down its plea for a bailout, saying it was closing down anyway. Maile has left the commission to take up a full-time position as an elected ANC member of the provincial legislature.
A spokesperson for the premier said there was nothing sinister in her actions and pointed out that Mokonyane, in her state of the province address, had promised a review of the work of all government agencies to assess whether they still contribute to service delivery.
The provincial conference is due to take place next year but it is expected that lobbying for an early conference will intensify in the next few months.
A Youth League leader said Mashatile supporters feel she is using government resources to create a political power centre and they ”want to put her in her place”.
Those who support the premier, on the other hand, said Mashatile is as good as finished in the province now that he is a national deputy minister.
Formerly the power battle in the province was between Mashatile and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, who has kept a low profile in the province since the Polokwane conference and her subsequent election as ANC Women’s League president.
As a result, although Motshekga still enjoys considerable support, the M&G understands her backers are considering fielding either current Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka or provincial executive committee member Panyaza Lesufi as candidate for the chair. Complications here are that Lesufi is considered too young, while Shiceka may have antagonised too many people with his interventions in municipalities around the country.
Holding fort amid the political shifts in the province is secretary David Makhura. However, a youth leader said there was also a growing feeling that Makhura needed to make way for someone else.
Gauteng holds its first provincial general council since the elections this weekend and lobbying is expected to begin there. ANC provincial spokesperson Nkenke Kekana said the council would assess progress in the establishment of the provincial government.