The IFP Caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature notes the announcement of Hon. Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the ANC’s Premier-elect, to replace the ejected Premier Sihle Zikalala. This was the expected outcome, as amongst the three candidates, Hon. Dube-Ncube possesses sufficient competence and experience.
Unfortunately for Hon. Dube-Ncube, she is just a temporary measure for the remainder of the term, and will be a compromised Premier for the following reasons:
1. She carries no mandate from ANC structures because they rejected her during their Provincial Conference two weeks ago.
2. She will have no authority over her Executive. The names of the ‘New Executive’ are already known, having been shared via various social media platforms even before Hon. Dube-Ncube assume the role of Premier. These names were allegedly given to her, and all that is left for her is to announce them. If she confirms this ‘New Executive’, it would seem to confirm that she is a compromised Premier. She will be presiding over the top five PEC members in her Executive, who won against her during the ANC’s Provincial Conference. This does not bode well for the people of KZN and will not save the ANC from being relegated from power.
3. Hon. Dube-Ncube will not be able to hold MECs to account or roll out consequence management to the same PEC that gave her these names.
4. Lastly, she will not be able to introduce immediate lifestyle audits for those supervising her.
The Premier-elect and her Executive will not save the ANC from its final ejection from power in 2024, as they remain compromised government leaders. This leadership will remain in sharp contrast to the mandate of ANC structures until they are finally rejected by the voters in 2024.
In 2019, the IFP, as the Official Opposition, expressed disapproval over several MECs that were appointed by Premier Zikalala. We expect to see some of these MECs being removed from portfolios where they have failed dismally, i.e., health, education and COGTA. The IFP has exerted pressure on these Departments, exposing their failures. We will therefore not be surprised to see major changes in the Executive of the incoming Premier, Hon. Dube-Ncube.
The IFP will continue to exert pressure and hold the new Premier and her Executive accountable in all respects, in the pursuit of clean, proper and meaningful governance of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The IFP is convinced that while the character of the ANC brand might change with the new Premier-elect and her Executive, the content of the ANC brand will remain the same as the previous – failed – collective.
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Contact
Hon. VF Hlabisa, MPL
Leader of the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature and President of the IFP
082 873 3685 or 083 974 5783