Celani Sikhakhane
A Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards in KwaZulu-Natal after Premier Sihle Zikalala suffered a massive defeat at the ANC Provincial Elective Conference over the weekend.
Scrolla.Africa has learned that Zikalala, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, Arts and Culture MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela, and Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu are likely to be shown the door.
A source revealed that the Taliban – the ANC faction that won the provincial conference at the weekend – have agreed that MEC Simelane should be removed from the health portfolio to make way for former Newcastle mayor Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba.
Mahlaba is the newly elected provincial treasurer.
Previously, the Newcastle Magistrates Court found Mahlaba guilty of theft, assault and malicious damage to property after an employee of a fibre cable contractor was assaulted in Newcastle.
The guilty verdict came with an option to pay a R20 000 fine.
But the criminal record remains.
“Simelane won’t lose her cabinet post but she will be moved to another department so that Mahlaba could take over as Health MEC,” a source said.
It was reported that In 2019 Zikalala held a meeting at King’s House in Morningside, Durban where he made a deal to be premier.
The meeting was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, former Lower South Coast Chair Mzwandile Mkhwanazi and businessman Deebo Mzobe.
This is where Zikalala is said to have made enemies by taking the deal that made him sideline Sboniso Duma, Jomo Sibiya and Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba who were promised MEC positions at time.
“There are plans to at least make Zikalala go national as a member of parliament as a backbencher or to be deputy minister because they really don’t want him in KZN. When Zikalala took over, he sidelined Mahlaba and Duma to be made MECs so it is very interesting revenge,” a source explained.
