Rumours fly thick and fast as Supra hangs on

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo is clinging to power by his fingernails as the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) decided that instead of Luthuli House removing him immediately, he must go on unprecedented “special leave”.

This was seen as an apparent about-turn by the PEC, which earlier defied the ANC top brass’ directive that Mahumapelo must resign, which he reluctantly agreed to.

The PEC had earlier welcomed Mahumapelo’s “voluntary” exit but later asked him to stay put – an apparent defiance of the high-level ANC instruction.

Despite earlier having promised to follow the process and submit his resignation letter to the provincial legislature speaker, Mahumapelo reneged at the 11th hour yesterday morning. He even cancelled a media briefing where he was to explain the reasons for his resignation. He cited a “new development” as the reason.

Buoyed by the PEC’s defiance and his supporters, who converged in Mahikeng to show their solidarity with him, Mahumapelo reneged and told the media anyone who wanted him to go “can go to the nearest place”.

But yesterday, provincial secretary Suzan Dantjie issued a statement apologising for the PEC’s earlier decision to encourage the premier not to resign.

She said the provincial ANC had decided to place Mahumapelo on special leave while the ministerial task team, led by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was probing problems in the province. A final decision on Mahumapelo’s fate would be made once the team had submitted its findings.

According to Dantjie, an acting premier would be appointed soon. But she did not indicate who would replace Mahumapelo. It was reported by eNCA on Tuesday night that the replacement would be Finance MEC Wendy Nelson, who happens to be facing fraud charges of her own.

A number of senior regional ANC members had been mentioned as possible replacements. They included former premier and ex-ANC provincial chairperson Thandi Modise, current ANC deputy chairperson and education MEC Sello Lehare, and ANC Veteran’s League provincial chairperson and former MEC, Zacharia Tolo.

Mahumapelo succeeded Modise in both positions after he served as ANC provincial secretary in her PEC. Lehare, who is said to be not seeing eye-to-eye with Mahumapelo, is favoured by many to replace him in both posts. Mahumapelo had allegedly hired a mob to heckle Lehare at gatherings to prevent him taking over.

Tolo is seen as a neutral candidate who was likely to unite the warring sides. A senior ANC member in the province, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the PEC had backtracked because they feared Mahumapelo.

“The PEC does not support him wholeheartedly, but they fear being exposed by the man. About half of the PEC are implicated in corruption,” he said.

Yesterday, Mahumapelo spent the morning mingling with a group of supporters who protested and chanted “no Mahumapelo, no vote”.

Among the demonstrators were members of the ANC Youth League. But his opponents accused Mahumapelo of having rented a mob.

“That man has killed the ANC in North West.”

However, the man known as “Black Jesus” was being backed by some in the ANC PEC and several regional executives.

Political analyst Tinyiko Maluleke yesterday tweeted: “‘The essence of the absence of the presence’ my foot! The truth is #SupraMahumapelo did not voluntarily signal his intention to resign. He was effectively fired by the people of North West.”

– ericn@citizen.co.za

Also read: Ramaphosa does not have a monopoly on burning everything – Supra supporters

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.