Long-standing provincial Finance Minister Peter Miller, the man reputed by most parties to be the best finance minister KwaZulu-Natal has had, resigned "in humiliation" on Wednesday - but his party, the IFP, remains unfazed.
An emotional Miller told the provincial parliament in Pietermaritzburg yesterday, barely a day after he had presented his budget speech for the 2004/2005 financial year: "There is no way I would allow myself to be humiliated. I am a man and I stand my ground."
Miller had been placed at number 36 on the IFP's provincial list, virtually ruling him out of contention for a seat in the legislature after the April elections.
In a significant development, Miller's IFP colleague Narend Singh, minister for education, said it was important for ministers to keep in touch with those at grass roots level. These were the people who made recommendations for the party list.
Singh said: "Peter Miller has made a significant contribution to this province, he is a long-standing politician and it is regrettable that he has to step down."
He said Miller would leave administrators behind who were more than capable of doing the job.
ANC leader S'bu Ndebele said the provincial cabinet would be poor without Miller's wealth of knowledge.
However, IFP national spokesperson Reverand Musa Zondi said he had an inkling that Miller had resigned because he did not believe the IFP would do well in the elections.
Miller, who was seen as one of the moderates within the IFP, has become the latest victim in the fierce jockeying for position and the fight for the political soul of the IFP.
The announcement came just a day before the party unveils its list of candidates for provincial and national parliament.
Miller, who has been in the public service for more than 20 years, has been placed at number 36 on the provincial list, a position which is tantamount to a vote of no confidence in him and which does not guarantee him a seat in parliament after the election.
Dropping the bombshell during a boisterous debate on his budget speech, Miller said after much soul searching he had decided not to make himself available for nomination for provincial and national parliament.
Hinting that his placement at number 36 in spite of his glowing achievement had been the last straw, Miller poured out his heart to a hushed parliament in a moving valediction, which drew sustained applause and a standing ovation.
"I want to say it has been a privilege to work with members of my own party. It has also been a privilege to work with you, the ANC, to know you are not communists with horns and terrorists.
"I have realised that I must go because circumstances have dictated that I must go," he said, dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief.
He refused to comment on whether he would return to the cabinet as finance MEC should the ANC take over the province from the IFP, but said although he was about to turn 63, he was not ready to retire.
Miller's announcement came just after former provincial education MEC Eileen Ka Nkosi Shandu told MPs she was not returning to parliament, prompting speculation that the IFP MP had made the announcement because she was low on the list.
Asked why some newcomers in the party were place high above Miller whose contribution speaks volumes, Zondi said he did not believe lists signified contributions.
"Everyone has a democratic right to get in and out of his party when he feels like it," he said.
When asked about his position on the list, Singh said he had no idea what number he was on the list and that the list placing was a rigorous process.
Minority Front leader Amichand Rajbansi said Miller's humiliation was the humiliation of every citizen in the province.
"I think Miller's legacy will be printed indelibly in the wonderful management of finances in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature."
Rajbansi said Miller deserved to be in position number 2, behind premier, Lionel Mtshali.
"Miller turned around the financial administration of this province to the extent that Trevor Manuel had heaped praise on him," he said.