Zuma doesn't appoint premiers: presidency

23 May 2016 - 18:53 By TMG Digital

The President does not appoint the provincial premiers – they are appointed by the provincial legislatures‚ the Presidency said on Monday. It said it was responding to media houses who had asked for comment on the issue. The Presidency statement comes on the heels of an announcement that Kwazulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu had stepped down. This follows reports last week that he had been asked to resign by Monday or face being recalled.“The Constitution of the Republic empowers the President of the Republic to appoint the Deputy President‚ Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Such powers do not extend to the appointment of Premiers‚ who according to the Constitution are elected by the relevant provincial legislatures.“In this regard‚ The Presidency is unable to assist the media on this issue‚” the presidency said in the brief statement.Mchunu‚ once a staunch ally of President Jacob Zuma‚ lost his seat as provincial chairman to Sihle Zikhalala in November last year and since then Zikhalala’s supporters have openly campaigned to remove him as premier.Mchunu’s axing is seen as giving Zuma’s supporters powerful leverage ahead of the local government elections.At the weekend‚ Mchunu cancelled his attendance at public events‚ including a prayer day with Zuma in Durban on Saturday...

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