By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) says it has no plan to remove Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan despite the challenges facing Transnet and other state-owned entities.
This comes after ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula took a swipe at Gordhan, saying he should be removed should he fail to act fast on restoring the ailing state rail entity.
“The minister of public enterprises will undoubtedly not provide answers [alone] facing our rail transport system. The fact that a clarion call is sounded on the minister to fast-track policy interventions to address our rail and freight logistics does not amount to a call for his removal,” the ANC said in a statement issued by spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri.
“We have an obligation to provide adequate responses to all of these challenges. Government, working together with all South Africans, must find amicable programmes to extend our people’s frontiers of a better life,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
During his opening address at the women’s league conference, Mbalula said freight and locomotives had to be moved to rail.
“Comrade Pravin move faster, or otherwise we will move you. Comrade Pravin moves faster at Transnet or otherwise, we will move you,” he said.
However, just hours later on the same evening, Mbalula made a sudden U-turn back tracking on his initial views in a statement which was seen as an apology to Gordhan.
Mbalula also ruffled further when he praised Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi as being the only premier seen to be doing his job.
He said the ANC was keeping an eye on premiers who were not failing. He also told delegates that the ANC would not tolerate party provincial leaders who reshuffle mayors, MEC’s and Premiers after winning party elections.
Gordhan recently announced a new board at Transnet had been appointed to turn around the struggling state-owned enterprise.