Limpopo premier’s MEC choice criticised

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha

Published May 28, 2015

Share

Johannesburg - Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha appeared to have outsmarted his detractors on Wednesday when he named two trusted lieutenants as MECs.

But Mathabatha and his party’s provincial executive face another dilemma that may see their plans to replace Speaker of the legislature Merriam Ramadwa with a political ally flounder.

The ANC wants MP Polly Boshielo to replace Ramadwa, who is said to be defiant.

Ramadwa refuses to resign as MPL to take up Boshielo’s position in the National Assembly. Sources close to Ramadwa say she is prepared to step down as Speaker if ordered to do so, but refuses to resign as MPL.

ANC insiders say Ramadwa is unhappy that Mathabatha fired her as sport, arts and culture MEC after last year’s national elections.

“She wants to frustrate the whole process because she knows it’s almost impossible to force her to resign as MPL,” said the source.

Ramadwa said she would not comment on gossip, and Boshielo said she was unaware of plans to appoint a Speaker.

Another source said the decision to redeploy Ramadwa to the National Assembly was intended to neutralise the growing discontent over Mathabatha’s leadership style among ANC MPLs.

Some ANC MPLs have been angered by Mathabatha for overlooking them when he appointed Pophi Ramathuba as health MEC. She was sworn in as MPL on Wednesday, a few hours before Mathabatha appointed her as MEC.

This left some ANC MPLs disgruntled. “Our province is losing direction. This man waited for five months just so that he can appoint his ally,” said an MPL, who did not want to be named.

Vacancies in the legislature and executive council opened in January after education MEC Thembi Nwedamutswu died.

Under electoral laws, Ramathuba was eligible to become MPL only after May 7 because she was not on the original list of candidates.

On Wednesday, ANC spokes-woman Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said only provincial secretary Nocks Seabi could comment on deployment. Seabi could not be reached for comment.

Ramathuba replaced Ishmael Kgetjepe, who is now the education MEC.

Standing committee on public accounts chair Rob Tooley is the new provincial Treasury MEC. He replaced Rudolph Phala, the only MEC who was axed.

[email protected]

The Star

Related Topics: