Willies Mchunu sworn in as KwaZulu-Natal premier‚ as MECs await possible reshuffle

24 May 2016 - 16:13 By Nathi Olifant

Former Transport‚ community safety and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu was sworn in on Tuesday as acting Premier of KwaZulu-Natal after the dramatic resignation of Senzo Mchunu. His nomination and swearing in has fuelled speculation about a provincial cabinet reshuffle.The African National Congress Youth League was scheduled to hold a press briefing of an impending cabinet reshuffle but postponed it‚ after it was announced that only Mchunu was being sworn-in.The axe is apparently set to fall on education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni‚ economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu‚ agriculture MEC Cyril Xaba‚ finance MEC Belinda Scott‚ and sports‚ arts and culture MEC Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.As premier designate‚ Mchunu is yet to be permanently elected‚ sworn-in and affirmed by the provincial legislature‚ an exercise expected to be done on Wednesday.The ANC provincial deputy chair becomes the fourth ANC premier to occupy that position in 12 years and the seventh since 1994.The KwaZulu-Natal cabinet had a special meeting in Durban on Tuesday where Mchunu was nominated‚ designated and sworn in as the acting premier by Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo.In a statement‚ the cabinet congratulated Mchunu on his assignment and expressed confidence in his leadership. The cabinet thanked outgoing premier Senzo Mchunu for his good work and stewardship for leading the province of KwaZulu-Natal and wished him well in his new deployment.- TMG Digital/Times Durban Bureau..

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