Johannesburg – The decision by the African National Congress (ANC) to remove former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu was “carelessly handled” by the ruling party, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Thursday.
Senzo Mchunu, who resigned as premier on Monday on instruction of the ANC, was replaced by Willies Mchunu.
The trade union federation urged the ANC national executive committee to provide “decisive leadership” and focus on the August 3 local government elections.
“This was an unnecessary decision that was carelessly handled and does not serve the interests of the ANC. Cosatu urges all partners to avoid decisions that will likely sow divisions and compromise the unity of both the ANC and the alliance.”
“The national leadership has an obligation to ensure that something like this does not happen again,” secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told reporters in Johannesburg after Cosatu’s central executive committee meeting.
Senzo Mchunu, who lost the province’ chairmanship to President Jacob Zuma ally Sihle Zikalala last year, said he was stepping down as premier on instruction from the ANC. He said he was accused of disobeying the party, but he gave no details in that regard.
The ANC had earlier dismissed the reports of Mchunu’s imminent axing.
Former KZN MEC for Transport‚ Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu was sworn in as premier on Wednesday.
Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have also expressed concerns about the change of guard and lamented that the new premier was imposed on the people of KwaZulu-Natal by a faction within the ruling party.
African News Agency