ANC to clarify axing of premiers

2008-07-15 08:55

Johannesburg - The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is expected to make an announcement on the reported axing of two premiers later on Tuesday, its spokesperson said.

"The secretary general of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, is having a meeting in Johannesburg this morning (Tuesday) and we will put out a statement after that," ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said, declining to commit to a certain time.

Asked if she could confirm an SABC report quoting the ANC's Western Cape spokesperson Garth Strachan as saying that Premier Ebrahim Rasool will be asked to resign, Duarte replied: "No, not at the moment".

Meanwhile, The Herald newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, reported that Eastern Cape Premier, Nosimo Balindlela, currently in China, would also be axed on Tuesday.

'Clarify everything'

"These things have just been leaked and leaked," said Duarte. "We would like to put out one statement and clarify everything."

The SABC report said the decision to ask Rasool to resign was taken after a meeting of senior ANC national leaders with members of the provincial executive committee in Cape Town on Monday.

The provincial leadership had been informed that Rasool would be asked to resign in the interest of the organisation, to allow the ANC to best prepare for the forthcoming elections.

His successor would be identified after following the necessary procedures, the report said.

The Port Elizabeth-based The Herald reported that Education MEC Johnny Makgato and Finance MEC Billy Nel were also expected to be "redeployed", while Health MEC Nomsa Jajula's job was on the line.

Its source said President Thabo Mbeki was likely to offer Balindlela a diplomatic posting.

- SAPA