Officials to visit E Cape, W Cape

2008-07-14 14:44

Johannesburg - The ANC would not be drawn on Monday on whether it planned to replace the premiers of the Eastern and Western Cape, saying only that it would send officials to the provinces to address problems there.

Media reported over the weekend that the ANC national executive committee had decided to sack Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said the planned visits followed a report by the National Executive Committee and that steps would be taken to address the problems there.

"We are not going to rush because the media has pre-empted the process," Mantashe told reporters in Johannesburg.

He said that the information contained in media reports "may be a product at the end of that process" but added that the nation is "not going to wake tomorrow without Nosimo or Ebrahim".

It would involve a "step by step process and resolutions" followed by a decision.

"It remains an internal NEC decision that must be executed in a particular way."

Enhance governance

The NEC said in a statement that it had received a report on a number of provinces where it was necessary to take immediate measures to enhance governance and strengthen the ability of ANC structures to direct the work of government.

"This was particularly important with respect to the Eastern and Western Cape."

The NEC agreed to a "process of engagement" with ANC structures in those provinces on steps to address the problems, the release said.

At the press conference Mantashe said performance in the Eastern Cape was "dismal".

"Out of 45 municipalities, only one gets an unqualified audit," he said.

He said the ANC was looking at a bigger picture than just dealing with premiers and said some MECs were appointed in areas not matching their skills.

He said removing people was "not the first option".

The party is also sending a delegation from the national working committee to the North West province at the end of the week.

Mantashe said the ANC was not interfering in government matters but as the governing party in South Africa it was taking its responsibilities seriously.

"The reality of the matter...if an ANC-led province in x or y is not doing the right thing, it is the ANC that is going to pay the price.

"Therefore, what we are doing is not interference, it is taking our responsibilities seriously."

- SAPA