Durban – The IFP caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature has indicated Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube was only a temporary measure for the remainder of the term and will be a compromised premier for four reasons.
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said: “This was the expected outcome, as amongst the three candidates, Dube-Ncube possesses sufficient competence and experience.”
However, Hlabisa added Dube-Ncube was a temporary measure for the remainder of the term, and would 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 Dube-Ncube assumed 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. 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. 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,” Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa said that in 2019, the IFP, as the official opposition, expressed disapproval over several MECs who were appointed by Zikalala.
“We expect to see some of these MECs being removed from portfolios where they have failed dismally, i.e. health, education and Cogta (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs). 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,” Hlabisa said.
He said that the IFP would 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 KZN.
“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,” Hlabisa added.
On Sunday, IFP chief whip in the KZN legislature, Blessed Gwala, said the IFP in the KZN legislature says the new premier must be tough on corruption, as Zikalala left the provincial government in complete disarray. KZN is in dire need of competent leadership.
The IFP demanded that “whoever is appointed as the new KZN premier must be a person of utmost integrity; a person willing to rise above politics and take the unpopular decisions needed to root out corruption. This person must have the strength of character to release all outstanding forensic investigation reports, which premier Sihle Zikalala failed to release.”
Gwala said that the reports were kept under wraps since the tenure of the former KZN premier Willies Mchunu. These include:
- A forensic investigation was launched into how more than R200 million allocated towards drought relief was squandered.
- A forensic report commissioned in 2012, by late former Agriculture MEC Meshack Radebe, after R60m in taxpayers’ money – meant to assist emerging farmers in rural areas around the province – could not be accounted for. This investigation, which cost R10m, was completed in February 2014.
- A report into alleged irregularities and corruption in the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality in KZN, relating to the renovation of Umzimkhulu Memorial Hall, is also still under wraps.
- No one has been held accountable for the failed Luwamba Project in Ntambanana.
“These issues must be a top priority for the new premier,” Gwala said.
“We are extremely concerned that these delays appear to be deliberate and unreasonable, and we condemn this lack of progress. The delay in identifying the perpetrators and masterminds behind these potentially corrupt activities is undermining the public’s trust in the government.”
“We demand proper, fair, and time-bound investigations in this province, and for these reports to be released to the public immediately. Justice delayed is justice denied,” Gwala said.
Daily News