Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize’s decision to resign has been welcomed by opposition parties who say the province needs a full-time premier to tackle the pressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.
Mkhize said on Thursday that he would resign as premier at the end of the month to focus on his job as treasurer-general of the ANC.
“After carefully considering the workload associated with my two responsibilities, I have come to the conclusion that I need to spend more time fulfilling my responsibilities as treasurer-general of the ANC,” Mkhize told a press briefing in Durban on Thursday.
“I have served as the full-time premier since 2009 and I have served as treasurer-general on a part-time basis since my election in Mangaung in December.
“It is clear to me that responsibilities associated with being treasurer-general require more attention and therefore I can no longer serve as the premier till the end of this term of office at next year’s general election.”
Provincial DA leader Sizwe Mchunu said his party had consistently raised concerns over whether Mkhize was able to handle his combined roles of premier and ANC treasurer-general.
He said Mkhize had recently failed to attend portfolio committee meetings for his department, the KwaZulu-Natal Premier and Royal Household, citing other commitments. This was evidence that he was unable to combine the two jobs successfully.
“Dr Mkhize has failed, through his State of the Province address, to convince that the province is on a positive course. Instead, he has glossed over a multitude of serious challenges,” Mchunu said.
“His tenure has been marked by myriad grand plans, without much action and few time frames. He leaves a legacy of not having demanded accountability from his cabinet on targets set.
“The citizens of KwaZulu-Natal are ready for change. We challenge the ANC to commit to a new era - one which puts the needs of the people first and no longer tolerates inferior service delivery or corruption and maladministration on any level.”
The National Freedom Party’s president, Zanele ka Magwaza-Msibi, wished the premier well in Luthuli House and rated his tenure a paltry four out of 10.
“Unemployment is still high and young people are still living in poverty. As premier he tried to fight those challenges, but they are still there. We will remember him as a respectful and disciplined leader.”
Magwaza-Msibi said the next premier should be someone who was disciplined and respectful, and should respect the views of opposition politicians.
She said the premier would have to be mindful that people in the province were destitute, improve on service delivery and clamp down on corruption.
Andrew Layman, chief executive of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber had great respect and admiration for Mkhize’s premiership.
“He has engaged very constructively with the business community and has been keen to do all he could to ensure that the province had an environment conducive to the progress of business and the provincial economy.
“We rate his premiership highly and believe that in many ways KZN has made strides during his time at the helm. His contribution before his appointment as premier was also highly commendable. as the MEC for health and then finance.
“He has been a tireless servant of the people of KZN, having astounded many by his energy, his strong sense of commitment and his availability to attend countless functions and events in support of… diverse communities.”
On Thursday, KZN Judge President Chiman Patel swore in Education MEC Senzo Mchunu as acting premier from Thursday this week to Tuesday next week.
Mkhize said it was now up to the ANC to appoint a permanent premier for the province.
The process to appoint a premier will start on September 1.
Mkhize said his decision had the support of the ANC at national and provincial levels.
“I wish to thank the people of KZN for affording me the opportunity to lead this province. The overwhelming support they gave me has made my term of office a memorable one. I shall for ever cherish this this term as the pinnacle of my career in community of service.
“I believe KZN will remain a stable and successful province for many years to come.”
Mchunu was elected to the chairmanship of the ANC in the province in March.
Mkhize said he had left a province that was financially sound and had a good governance culture.
Additional reporting by Sihle Mlambo
Daily News