- The ANC Free State provincial leadership has resolved to remove Free State Prime Minister Sisi Ntombela.
- The province also recommended three candidates to replace Ntombela, with current Free State ANC Provincial Chairman Mxolisi Dukwana the firm favourite.
- News24 understands that a final removal and shake-up of the Free State executive was expected to take place after the ANC’s national leadership gave its go-ahead.
A leadership review of the Free State government is expected in a few days as the ANC in the province consults with the party’s national leadership on the removal of Prime Minister Sisi Ntombela and the dissolution of its executive.
News24 understands that the Free State leadership, led by newly elected President Mxolisi Dukwana, was expected to meet ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula for the go-ahead from the ANC national leadership for Ntombela to be replaced.
This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday.
The Free State ANC prefers Dukwana to replace Ntombela.
Dukwana, the current MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, is understood to be the leading candidate among the three recommended names.
Provincial Vice President Toto Makume is also on the list.
Over the weekend, the ANC’s Free State executive committee resolved to remove Ntombela and Mangaung Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana from office.
The two were accused of presiding over a failed provincial and local government. Ntombela was a known ally of former Free State Prime Minister and provincial ANC leader Ace Magashule.
Dukwana was sacked as MEC and plunged into political obscurity as Magashule firmly controlled the province.
Dukwana, a well-known supporter of President Cyril Ramaphosa, returned in 2021 when he was appointed to chair an interim ANC committee in the Free State.
READ | Mxolisi Dukwana emerges as ANC Free State chairman after hotly contested election
He was elected president of the ANC Free State in January, ushering in political change in the province.
Ntombela lost to Dukwana in the provincial conference and was not re-elected as a member of the provincial executive committee (PEC).
A PEC member told News24 that reports of a cabinet reshuffle in the Free State needed to be reviewed because the province was still awaiting a decision from national ANC leaders on Ntombela’s ouster and likely replacement.
The decision to replace it would only be announced once the go-ahead has been given by Luthuli House, News24 was told on Tuesday.
It is understood that a meeting with national ANC officials was expected on Monday night to finalize the changes, but this has not yet happened.
Free State provincial spokesman Jabu Mbalula did not respond to requests for comment.
