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Rasool's departure 'bad news'
23/07/2008 15:52 - (SA)
Cape Town - Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool's removal from office is bad for the provincial government and the City of Cape Town, which has to work with the province, city mayor Helen Zille said on Wednesday.
Rasool's resignation and replacement by Finance and Tourism MEC Lynne Brown, with effect from Friday, was announced by ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete earlier on Wednesday.
Zille, also Democratic Alliance leader, said Rasool's resignation was a victory for the ANC president "Jacob Zuma's faction of the ANC in the Western Cape".
It also signalled the priority the ANC gave power struggles and personal ambitions over service to the people they were supposed to represent.
"This latest upheaval sends a negative message to investors in our city, undermining the core objective of the City of Cape Town to promote economic growth and job creation.
"The move is also likely to worsen the exodus of skilled public servants who are tired of being caught up in political intrigue.
"Why did the Zuma ANC not wait just seven months for the 2009 provincial and national government elections to run for office, and thereby avoid creating unnecessary disruption?
"Instead they have opted for immediate gratification," Zille said.
Getting party back on track
However, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the province said the decision to replace Rasool was an important step in getting the party back on track.
Cosatu said the divisions in the Western Cape were unfortunate and had both paralysed the ANC and government in service delivery, and for this the leadership had to be held to account.
"We believe that the ANC is bigger than any individual and workers will support the ANC irrespective of who the premier and leader is, as is the role of every committed comrade.
"The most important issue is to develop a team spirit that unites our people around the program of the ANC to win the election and use government to speed up delivery."
Cosatu also thanked Rasool for his services to the province's people during his term of office. His contribution to the clothing sector, especially, and the steps to assist the revival of the industry, would be remembered. These had contributed to job creation in this sector.
"We also remember his role in the [United Democratic Front] and liberation struggle where he distinguished himself as a committed son of the soil."
Rasool should be redeployed elsewhere in government and not "just discarded", as he had many talents and much experience, Cosatu said.
- SAPA
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