ANC split: Eastern Cape Premier keeps his sense of humour

While the Legislature is abuzz with a possible split in the ANC, Premier Mbulelo Sogoni is clearly one of those who still finds some humour in the situation.

Introducing the tabling of his annual report, Sogoni commented on the earlier election of a new deputy-speaker and chairman of committees telling DA leader Athol Trollip that there was only one nomination for each position “and that demonstrates how united the ANC is”.

Chairman of Committees Sam Masoziwe was elevated to the position of deputy-speaker and Neo Moerane-Mamase takes over his position.

There seems to be general acceptance now that there will be some kind of split, senior members of the Legislature indicating yesterday that they expected the former deputy-minister of Defence Mluleki George to drive the new entity in the Amathole region while there was also a suggestion that former presidential spokesman Smuts Ngonyama might emerge as its candidate for the premiership of the Eastern Cape in the next election.

Many a slip twixt prof and whip

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University vice-chancellor Derrick Swartz managed to get the name of the new Eastern Cape Premier wrong when he introduced him ahead of the Raymond Mhlaba Memorial lecture delivered by President Thabo Mbeki.

Swartz introduced the premier as Mbulelo Goniwe rather than Mbulelo Sogoni.

Goniwe, for those who incredibly short memories, is the former ANC chief whip in the National Assembly found guilty of sexual harassment by a party-appointed disciplinary committee – “abuse of office by trying to obtain sexual advantage from members or others, and charges related to bringing the ANC into disrepute".

Goniwe's ANC membership was suspended for three years; and the penalty suspending his membership was also suspended for three years, conditional on his not holding office in any structure of the ANC for three years. He was also barred from being an ANC public representative for that period.

No wonder Sogoni looked shocked.

Sogoni broom denies Cosatu/SACP a clean sweep

Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni announced his cabinet on Friday afternoon leaving Alliance partners Cosatu and the South African Communist Party decidedly unhappy with the final outcome.

Cosatu and the SACP wanted a clean sweep with almost all the existing members of the provincial cabinet axed but in the end had to be satisfied with what was a compromise with some of the old guard being retained. Thobile Mhlahlo, who had been one of those targeted for what is euphemistically described as “re-deployment” survived and while he lost Roads and Transport he did get the major portfolio of Housing to go with Safety and Liaison.

Deputy-Speaker Gloria Barry gets Roads and Transport.

Housing has been separated from Local Government that is retained by Thoko Xasa who was also a target for re-deployment.

Phumulo Masualle becomes the most powerful MEC in the cabinet taking control of both Finance from Billy Nel, and Economic Development and Environmental Affairs that was held by Sogoni.

Health will now fall under Pemmy Majodina and Education goes to Mahlubandile Qwase replacing Nomsa Jajula and Johnny Makgato respectively.

Sogoni's cabinet: Who will the ANC pick?

The ANC will unveil the new Eastern Cape provincial cabinet at lunchtime tomorrow with the major focus on who will take over Housing and Local Government from Thoko Xasa and whether these two departments will be split.

New premier Mbulelo Sogoni acknowledged earlier today that the possibility of creating separate departments was under consideration and the name of outspoken the former mayor of Buffalo City Lulamile Nazo has emerged as a contender for Local Government.

That would leave Housing with which ANC provincial chairman Stone Sizani who was MEC for Education between 1999 and 2002 and the former CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation Mcebisi Jonas have been linked.

Nazo has also been named as a possible deputy-speaker, succeeding Gloria Barry who is tipped to take over Roads and Transport from Thobile Mhlahlo.

New premier makes big promises

New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni was sworn in this morning as the province’s fourth premier outlining a broad plan for the next eight months leading up to the election and saying the new cabinet will have until the end of August to realign their budgets with his priorities.

Sogoni said there would be “zero-tolerance” of failures in service delivery specifically in the areas of schools, hospitals and clinics, adding that the performance contracts of all heads of department would be reviewed in the light of what would be required.

Among the priorities Sogoni spelled out were the timeous delivery of stationery and text books; eradication of mud schools; providing support to improve the public health system, and drive the delivery of housing.

Sogoni said another priority would be to persuade FIFA to change the decision to take the Confederations Cup games away from Port Elizabeth.

Hurry up and wait ...

A 10am swearing in of new Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni is one thing that is not going to happen.

At 9.58 there was indication of when proceedings would start although outgoing Premier Nosimo Balindlela arrived a few moments ago and took up the seat she has occupied for the last four years - and the next few minutes.

Balindlela did not attend this morning’s ANC caucus and has announced her resignation as a member of the Legislature. She will, however, remain as a member of the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee of the ANC.

People's premier out among the people?

There was no sign of outgoing Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela today when the Bhisho Legislature started a weeklong sitting even though a report on the Office of the Premier on a fact-finding mission to the Ugie/Maclear timber project was debated.

Her replacement Mbulelo Sogoni was present as were several MEC’s (Heath MEC Nomsa Jajula was the lone exception) who will be replaced on Friday.

Handed out were copies of the voluminous Pillay Commission that includes some eight annexures. Interestingly, as was noted by many members of the Legislature many if not all the recommendations contained in annexure eight had been made year after year in reports compiled by the legislature’s committees.

One imagines the ad hoc committee considering the report will comment on that when it submits its report.

New Premier takes the helm on Thursday

New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni (right, with his predecessor Nosimo Balindlela) will be sworn in at the Legislature on Thursday, the ANC confirmed today.

The new cabinet will be announced on Friday afternoon and there is still discussion on who will
take the Housing and Local Government portfolio currently held by Thoko Xasa.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) is to meet on Friday morning to finalise the matter that will see Finance MEC Billy Nel who was informed yesterday that he is to be axed replaced by Phumulo Masualle who will also succeed Sogoni as MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.

Health MEC Nomsa Jajula will be replaced by Pemmy Majodina while Education MEC Johnny Makgato will make way for Mahlubandile Qwase.

• Full report in The Herald tomorrow

Birthdays, babies and messy situations

Three subjects will dominate the Legislature this week – the celebration of the birthday of Nelson Mandela, a health department report into the deaths of babies at Ukhahlamba and the election and swearing-in of Premier-designate Mbulelo Sogoni and unveiling of the new cabinet.

The report into the death of more than 100 babies was the result of an investigation by the portfolio committee on Health but The Herald has been told that the ANC compiled a report long before the deaths of the babies warning of the impending disaster – but no action was taken.

That debate is set down for Wednesday.

Thursday, Arts and Culture minister Pallo Jordan will address the Legislature on Madiba and it is expected that Sogoni will be elected on the same day or early Friday, followed by the announcement of the new provincial cabinet.

In the meantime, the existing MECs will continue to answer questions and respond to all the reports that have been tabled – messy and a trifle embarrassing.

Among the other reports to be tabled is one that may raise eyebrows considering that the plenary session is being held at the Good News Centre – the Public Works committee according to the programme will submit a report on an “exposure” visit to Australia!

D-Day for Balindlela

Three Eastern Cape MECs will be axed along with Premier Nosimo Balindlela as part of a provincial cabinet reshuffle that will see Mbulelo Sogoni, currently MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs elected as the province’s fourth premier.

Out will go Education MEC Johnny Makgato his Finance colleague MEC Billy Nel as well as Health MEC Nomsa Jajula as part of efforts to speed up delivery and development in the province.

Alliance partners, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party remain opposed to the election of Sogoni and tough negotiations are continuing. They may, however, have to be satisfied with appointments to key portfolios for which they have already submitted proposals as part of a comprehensive agreement.

Full story on who is likely to be in the next provincial cabinet in Thursday’s edition of The Herald.