By Christelle Terreblanche
Two South African Communist Party-aligned Eastern Cape MECs have been axed from the provincial cabinet in a move that seems to confirm the accuracy of suggestions that a left-wing purge of the African National Congress is in full swing.
Premier Makhenkesi Stofile announced their sacking in Bisho on Thursday by reading a bizarre media statement in which he praised the work they had done.
The two sacked were Roads and Public Works MEC Ncumiso Kondlo and Social Development MEC Phumulo Masualle.
"We want to emphasise this is not about non-delivery," Stofile said before detailing the good work of the two MECs.
The announcement came after persistent rumours that he was about to fire more MECs after pressure from the national leadership, which first surfaced with the resignation of education MEC Stone Sizane.
In a speech in the legislature on Monday, Stofile fiercely denied he was going to axe four more MECs.
"I want to announce that none of them will be fired."
Asked to explain this on Thursday, Sapa reported him as saying: "Today is Thursday. It is not Monday, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge."