By Staff Reporter
The ANC Fezile Dabi Youth League in the Free State has called on the party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to invoke the constitution and co-opt Education MEC Dr Tate Makgoe to the PEC after he failed to garner enough votes to secure a position.
The Constitution allows for three members non-elected members to be co-opted. The PEC is made up of 35 additional members including ANC ‘s top five.
Makgoe has demonstrated excellence in his education department that he heads, with the province having topped country’s matric results for six consecutive years. He became an MEC in 2009. But despite his excellent track record, he only managed to garner 146 votes putting him 33rd on the PEC list members.
“We wish to call on the PEC to consider the co-option of Comrade Tate Makgoe as he has been working hard and exceptionally in delivering the best Matric results and bringing stability in our public schools in the province. He is very principled with a good track record of not being tainted by corruption allegations like many other we have seen in the province,” Babiky De Wet Fezile Dabi regional secretary said in a statement.
Premier Sefora Ntombela and all her erstwhile members of the IPC were not elected, except Mxolisi Duwaka who was appointed to the Cogta portfolio committee after a reshuffling that saw the axing of Sam Mashinini, former MEC of police, roads and transport. Others excluded form PEC members include Paseka Nompodo who was convener while Dukwana was coordinator.
The youth league is also calling for axing of Premier Ntombela to make way for Dukwana to take over the premiership.
But political analyst from university of Free State Setlholego Matebisi has warned against any moves to oust Ntombela, saying it would be ‘disastrous’.
“The very same members that they want to get rid of will be needed in the next eight months because we are on the cusp of general elections which I strongly believe will be hotly contested, and you will need a full contingent of the ANC members.”
