KZN Cabinet reshuffle on the cards

Political tension rises in the GPU

- WILLEM PHUNGULA & THAMI MAGUBANE

Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is expected to make his first cabinet reshuffle as part of his party's concessions to the ANC's demand to save the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

As part of concessions, Ntuli is said to have agreed to swap Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and Mtomuhle Khawula, the MEČ of Sports Arts and Culture.

The IFP concession is said to have emanated from its meeting with ANC provincial leadership last week where the ANC demanded the removal of Buthelezi and the reinstatement of Umkhanyakude District Municipality mayor Siphile Mdaka this will ensure the ANC backs Ntuli who faces a motion of no confidence brought by the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

The IFP and ANC standoff led to the intervention from national ANC leaders, who met with senior IFP leaders on Saturday. Although the outcome of that meeting is not yet known, it is believed that the IFP has conceded to reshuffle the provincial cabinet, with Buthelezi being moved out of the Cogta portfolio.

IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa, however dismissed suggestions of a possible reshuffle of the cabinet.