By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile has been given the responsibility of overseeing the functioning of the ANC secretary-general office while acting SG Jessie Duarte is on sick leave.
This was announced by Luthuli House on Tuesday after a meeting of its national working committee (NWC) on Monday.
The NWC, which conducts the work of the ANC and comprises the governing party’s top six leaders, met on Monday for its regular session ahead of the two-day meeting of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) this week.
Duarte, 68, has been on sick leave since November last year after she was hospitalised with gastrointestinal complications.
She had been managing the secretary general’s office after the suspension of ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule in May 2021.
Officials of the NWC wished Duarte a speedy recovery and expressed their solidarity with her family and loved ones as they support her during this difficult time.
“The national officials have requested the treasurer-general, comrade Paul Mashatile, to assist her in the execution of duties of the secretary general’s office.
“Accordingly, the NWC urged all media, and all ANC structures and leaders, to act with compassion and consideration and to refrain from any actions that might impede her recovery,” ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mabe said Duarte was advised by her doctors to restrict her physical meetings to a limited number of immediate family members only.
Accordingly, any insinuation that she has endorsed any views on matters currently in the public domain must be rejected. The NWC wishes DSG Duarte strength and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family on her road to recovery.
At the same time, the NWC said it had finalised preparations for this week’s NEC meeting set to be held from Thursday, until Friday.