By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The newly elected chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana is understood to be the leading candidate among the three recommended names to take over as premier of Free State province.
This follows the provincial executive committee (PEC) resolved over the weekend to recall the current premier Sisi Ntombela and Mangaung mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana.
Jabu Mbalula, the newly elected provincial spokesperson, said he could not confirm Ntombela and Siyonzana’s recall. He did, however, confirm that discussions on these matters were under way and the outcomes would be communicated on Tuesday, 7 February.
He said discussions were focused on assessing the ANC’s performance in the province.
“If we come to a determination that our performance has not been good … we need to make changes and have cadres and members of the organisation who will be fit for purpose…
The two were accused of presiding over a failed provincial and local government. Ntombela was a known ally of former Free State premier and long-serving ANC provincial leader Ace Magashule.
Dukwana was fired as an MEC and thrust into political obscurity when Magashule held a firm grip on the province.
Dukwana, a known supporter of President Cyril Ramaphosa, made a comeback in 2021 when he was appointed to chair an ANC interim committee in the Free State.
He was elected as the Free State chairperson of the ANC in January, making way for the political shift in the province.
Ntombela lost to Dukwana at the provincial conference and was not re-elected as a provincial executive committee (PEC) member.
A decision to replace her would only be announced once Luthuli House had given the go-ahead.
Plans for a possible provincial reconfiguration were first mentioned by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula at the party’s 111th anniversary celebrations in the province on 8 January.