The ruling party said he’s “tried and tested”. The opposition described him as untarnished. The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday congratulated “Comrade Willies Mchunu on his election as premier of KwaZulu-Natal”. Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said the “ANC has confidence in his ability to build on the sterling work of the ANC government in the province”. It also extended its “sincere gratitude” is to “Comrade Senzo Mchunu for this capable and steady steering of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government as premier between 2013 to 2016”.Senzo Mchunu resigned on Monday following internal ANC pressure.Opposition parties in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Wednesday accepted the appointment of Willies Mchunu‚ with the National Freedom Party (NFP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) saying he was an untarnished candidate.Mchunu‚ who was the former transport‚ community safety and liaison MEC‚ was officially sworn-in by Judge President Achmat Jappie on Wednesday afternoon.The NFP's Vikizitha Mlotshwa said Mchunu was an untainted candidate but that would soon change."You will muddy yourself‚ but we are saying all the best on this hot seat. As the NFP we do not have any issues with you‚" he said.EFF's Vusi Khoza was retrospective in his congratulatory message‚ saying his party had predicted back in February that Senzo Mchunu was not going to last long and neither would some of the members of his cabinet.This was in reference to rumours that five MECs face being axed in an imminent cabinet reshuffle."But that's none of our business…all we know is that the axe has been aimed again‚" he said as the ANC heckled him."Only history will judge you. We will salute you when you do well and howl you when you flop‚" said Khoza.Democratic Alliance leader of the official opposition Sizwe Mchunu congratulated the new premier‚ adding‚ however‚ that the changing of guard did not solve the problems KwaZulu-Natal people face.The Inkatha Freedom Party's Joshua Mazibuko said he hoped Mchunu would take the vision of KwaZulu-Natal further."In the interest of our people we hope the province will remain stable‚ progressive and prosperous‚" he said. - TMG Digital/Durban Bureau..