By Lungani Zungu
It’s the end of an era for Ace Magashule’s once tight grip on the Free State and the start of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reign.
This follows the abrupt decision of the Free State ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to recall Magashule’s allies, Premier Sisi Ntombela and Mangaung executive mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana.
The PEC, the ANC’s highest provincial decision-making body, collectively approved Ntombela’s sacking. It paves the way for Ramaphosa’s ally Mxolisi Dukwana to take over as premier.
Ntombela became premier in March 2018 when Magashule gave up his position to become ANC secretary-general, a full-time position at Luthuli House, the party’s headquarters.
Ntombela’s failure to make it to the PEC sparked calls for her immediate removal. “I’ll wait for the ANC to inform me of such a decision, if there is one. For now I’ve got nothing to say,” Ntombela told Scrolla.Africa on Saturday.
Dukwana thumped Ntombela by 346 votes compared to Ntombela’s 303 at the ANC Free State conference last month. In many quarters, this was seen as Ramaphosa cementing his position in the province and an end to Magashule’s long innings.
Dukwana is the former MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. When his relationship with Magashule became strained he did not hesitate to drag Magashule through the coals at the State Capture commission of inquiry.
He was the convener of the ANC in the Free State from 2018 until May 2021 and said the decisions of the PEC cannot be challenged or rejected. “No one, not even myself, can fight against the ANC to challenge its decisions. We will know in a few days how things will pan out here in the Free State.”
