Sacking of MECs 'deepens division'
The axing yesterday of four KwaZulu-Natal MECs has deepened division in the provincial ANC, a political analyst says.The firings also entrenched provincial party chairman Sihle Zikalala's dominance of KwaZulu-Natal politics and added impetus to African Union Commission chairman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's presidential ambitions.The KwaZulu-Natal ANC announced sweeping changes in its provincial cabinet exactly a fortnight after Senzo Mchunu announced that he had resigned as premier at the provincial leadership's behest.University of KwaZulu-Natal political science lecturer Zakhele Ndlovu said the ANC had filled the vacated posts with people who had little to no experience in government. "Save for Bongi Sithole-Mlaba, who was once a district mayor, [Sihle] Zikalala, [Mthandeni] Dlungwane and [Mxolisi] Kaunda do not have government experience. I'm mindful that you only get experience by being given a chance, but the ANC should have saved some of the MECs for [continuity] purposes," said Ndlovu.He said the firings undermined party unity.Zikalala, who replaced Mike Mabuyakhulu as the MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, became an MPL only in November.Former ANC Youth League provincial leader Mxolisi Kaunda is the new MEC for transport, safety and liaison, taking over from Willies Mchunu, the new premier.Former uMgungundlovu district mayor Sithole-Moloi replaced sports, arts and culture MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.Perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the cabinet is that of SA Communist Party provincial secretary Themba Mthembu, who replaces Cyril Xaba as MEC for agriculture and rural development.Mthembu was a vocal supporter of Senzo Mchunu before and after the provincial conference last year.Premier Willies Mchunu denied that Mthembu was appointed to appease the aggrieved supporters of Senzo Mchunu, contending that Mthembu got the job because he had headed the parliamentary portfolio committee on agriculture for two terms."The government doesn't appease, it appoints," said Willies Mchunu...
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