Doubts about KZN premiership
2004-04-18 20:17
Pietermaritzburg - Despite the ANC's historic election triumph on KwaZulu-Natal, the party said it was still in the dark on Sunday on who would be the new premier of the province.
The party wrestled the elusive KZN from their political opponent, IFP on a 46.98% simple majority feat on the election on Wednesday.
The IFP and its coalition partners, DA and Freedom Front Plus were narrowly beaten with their total of 45.45% votes.
Yesterday, the ANC said it did not know who was its premiership nominee, saying it was up to its president Thabo Mbeki to nominate the premier.
Speculation has fallen on the party's provincial chairman S'bu Ndebele but the party, has refused to lift the lid yet.
ANC provincial spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said even provincial executive committee members did not know who could be nominated.
"It's the presidents prerogative to nominate the premier. But we believe he will announce the nominee before Friday," said Mthimkhulu.
He said the party's PEC will be locked behind closed doors deliberating on the future of the province today.
He played cards close to his chest, refusing to let out what might be in the agenda.
Most likely to feature on the agenda is the coalition agreements with other political parties to boost the party's 38 seats in the legislature.
If the party takes that route, the Minority Front, which clinched 2.61% votes, could be the target. And, possibly, the ACDP (1.78%) could be enticed into a coalition with the party.
The ANC's coalition partner, NNP, dealt a crippling blow to get only 0.52% votes.
The IFP executive also held an in camera meeting in Durban to discuss their performance in the elections and the way forward.
At national level the ANC's national working committee will also meet to discuss the party's way forward, now that it has won in all provinces.
The legislature will be reconvening on Friday and things will certainly be different as some faces will have to fall away and new faces will be introduced.
Some people will be redeployed to other positions. But most prominently will be the premiership post, which will be filled by Mr X from the ANC.
Final election results in KwaZulu-Natal:
ACDP 1.78 %
ANC 46.98 %
DA 8.35 %
FF Plus 0.28 %
IFP 36.82 %
MF 2.61 %
NNP 0.52 %