Netshitenzhe 'quit ahead of demotion'

Lack of trust an issue, say insiders

Oct 21, 2009 12:27 AM | By MOIPONE MALEFANE and DOMINIC MAHLANGU

The surprise resignation of long-serving government policy guru Joel Netshitenzhe might have been prompted by his unhappiness about plans by the Presidency to strip him of his powers.

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FILE PICTURE: Joel Netshitenzhe
Photograph by: .

President Jacob Zuma's office yesterday confirmed that Netshitenzhe - a strong ally of axed head of state Thabo Mbeki - has resigned as the director-general of policy co-ordination and advisory services.

The unit is part of the Presidency and is instrumental in formulating government policy.

The Presidency's head of communications, Vusi Mona, said Netshitenzhe resigned "following discussion and by mutual agreement with the minister for the national planning commission, Trevor Manuel".

The news came only a day after Zuma announced the reconfiguration of his Cabinet, kicking Manuel out of the important economic cluster.

This was seen as a snub to Manuel and Netshitenzhe, both of whom have championed the national planning commission green paper that puts the former finance minister at the centre of economic planning.

But ANC and government insiders say Netshitenzhe resigned because of plans by the Presidency to strip him of his power and authority - effectively demoting him to the level of a deputy director-general.

As the director-general of Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services under Mbeki, Netshitenzhe had direct access to the president.

But, with the changes proposed for the Presidency, he would have been expected to report to Zuma's director-general, Vusi Mavimbela.

Senior officials close to Netshitenzhe said he quit because he felt that he was "not trusted" by the new administration.

Mavimbela said that, even under Mbeki, Netshitenzhe did not report direct to the president.

"He has always reported to a minister [in the Presidency]. It is wrong to suggest that he was reporting to the president," Mavimbela said.

Netshitenzhe could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Mona said the contribution of Netshitenzhe, who has served in the government since 1994, has been "invaluable".

Before his Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services job, Netshitenzhe headed the government communications and information system, and was instrumental in formulating much of the government's policy.

He remains a member of the ANC's influential national executive committee.

Comments

Oct 21 2009 04:38:40 AM
VinceRSA

Netshitenzhe,
Look in the mirror early this morning!
Do you still see yourself as a teenager?

NOW, look at the ANC!
Do you still see what you fought for for so many decades?

Things change, and the ANC is no longer!

Certainly NOT what you and the earlier leaders and the greatest part of the nation with a conscious moral and ethical capacity, desired at any rate.

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Oct 21 2009 04:45:58 AM
Tackler

The netshitenze was about to hit the fanclub, we suspect?

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Oct 21 2009 04:57:13 AM
DDarko

He had the quality least desired in an ANC stooge, the ability to think and reason.

He had to go.

Association of
National
Criminals.

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Oct 21 2009 06:33:59 AM
Ozgood

How are the mighty fallen?

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Oct 21 2009 06:35:19 AM
august rain

Should have moved to COPE when he had the chance.

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Oct 21 2009 06:45:57 AM
mcritic

I want to quote this extract from the above article and ask for further information:-

"The news came only a day after Zuma announced the reconfiguration of his Cabinet, kicking Manuel out of the important economic cluster.

This was seen as a snub to Manuel and Netshitenzhe, both of whom have championed the national planning commission green paper that puts the former finance minister at the centre of economic planning."

I missed the above announcement by Zuma and cannot remember anything about it at all in the media. Is Manuel really out and when is he going to resign? Has trhe Cosatu faction really taken over economic planning?