Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) CIC Julius Malema has given South Africans the inside scoop on what is happening in the ANC camp of his home province, Limpopo.
Malema said the province’s premier, Stanley Mathabatha, would soon be axed from his position.
“He was called on Friday to make representations on why he should not be fired,” Malema says.
Calls for Mathabatha to be removed from his office were reportedly initiated by the party’s provincial secretary, Nocks Seabi.
Seabi is backing Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to be the party’s next president, while Mathabatha is apparently rallying behind Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to take the top job.
The Sowetan reported on Monday that party leaders in the province have called for a motion of no confidence in Mathabatha. There have for some time been reports of a powerful provincial faction, known as “Boko Haram”, that has been plotting the premier’s downfall.
According to the report, some members of the provincial executive committee (PEC) allegedly met with President Jacob Zuma earlier this year at his Nkandla homestead to ask him to fire Mathabatha.
Mathabatha’s opponents are said to be building their case for his removal by labelling him a “weak” leader and arguing there is no service delivery in Limpopo, while his supporters have highlighted that the ANC in the province cannot afford to be divided over the issue.
According to those close to the PEC, one faction in the province is already canvassing for Seabi to replace Mathabatha, while the other is lobbying for provincial treasurer Danny Msiza for the top job.
Seabi is understood to be backed by party deputy provincial chairperson Jerry Ndou together with a host of regional leaders from Mopani and Vhembe.
Msiza is, on the other hand, understood to be enjoying the overwhelming support from Mathabatha and party leaders from Peter Mokaba, Sekhukhune and Waterberg.
It is understood that the ANC in Limpopo is likely to host its elective conference before June to decide the fate of the leaders.
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Additional reporting by Alex Matlala
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