By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng ANC is yet to finalise a replacement and is consulting structures on a proposed name to replace Premier David Makhura.
The party held a special provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting on Friday to discuss Makhura’s departure.
There were previous discussions in the PEC about Makhura being secured a national position before he resigns as premier. These discussions seem to be hanging in the balance with no conclusion.
The party was briefing the media on the outcomes of the special provincial executive committee (PEC) on Sunday.
ANC provincial secretary TK Nciza said the province was about to embark on a process to find a replacement for Makhura.
Nciza stressed Makhura was not being forced out.
The same angle was pushed by provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi, who was present at the media briefing.
Makhura claimed he was the one who initiated the idea he should vacate the Office of the Premier before his term concluded in 2024.
The talks about his departure went back as far as February 2021, he said.
The premier added he felt someone else needed to govern Gauteng by 2023.
After the provincial conference concluded, the ANC began discussing what it insists is a “power transition” and not removal.
“I am ready to hand over government to the next leader of the ANC and we must handle this properly. I am readily available to hand over leadership. I am not resigning, but I am ready to hand over the leadership after the ANC processes have been completed. I will hand over when the ANC says I should do so.”
“I haven’t threatened the leadership with a resignation. They have not asked me to resign either. The ANC leadership and I are on the same page about everything, including lifestyle audits,” Makhura said.
Nciza said the matter was not factional.
“Not all the time when there is a power handover, there must be chaos. Allow the ANC to undergo its processes.”
Makhura will be going to Germany and Netherlands for the next two weeks to strengthen agreements on energy and automotive industries.
While he is away, Lesufi will be acting premier for the next two weeks.