POLITICS

Zweli Mkhize's contribution as KZN Premier immeasurable - ANC

Party says ANC TG's resignation is in adherence to the party constitution, which says position is a full time one

STATEMENT OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS ON THE RESIGNATION OF CDE ZWELI MKHIZE AS PREMIER OF KWAZULU-NATAL

The African National Congress is grateful to Comrade Dr Zweli Mkhize for the immeasurable role he has played as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal since 2009. Comrade Zweli Mkhize, who resigned as Premier of the Province today 22 August 2013, working together with the collective that he served with, has made KwaZulu-Natal a province all of us are proud of in terms of governance and the advances that have been made to better the lives of our people. A few months ago, Comrade Zweli Mkhize, relinquished his position as Chairperson of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal, a position he had held since 2008.

These resignations by Comrade Zweli Mkhize are in adherence to our constitution which stipulates that as Treasurer-General of the African National Congress, elected in December 2012 at Mangaung, he should be full-time at the ANC Headquarters, Luthuli House. Between December 2012 and now, Comrade Zweli has had to juggle between two positions, each with immense responsibilities, undoubtedly placing a strain on him as an individual. His recent resignation as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal will now afford him ample time and opportunity to concentrate on his functions and tasks as Treasurer-General of the African National Congress. As the TG, he is also part of the collective of Officials tasked with the political guidance of our structures, the daily operations of the organisation, and during this period, leading and resourcing the elections campaign of the African National Congress. We are confident that Comrade Zweli Mkhize will bring to his full-time job at Luthuli House the diligence, commitment and the political astuteness that has always been his trademark as a member and a leader of the African National Congress over many years.

The Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal will now commence with the process of identifying a Premier Candidate to field in the Legislature processes that shall unfold to elect a new Premier. The KZN ANC leadership will be expected to provide the National Executive Committee of the ANC with the names of three candidates from whom one will be selected as the ANC NEC's preferred choice of Premier in KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC has no doubt that the good work we have witnessed in KwaZulu-Natal, both at the level of the ANC and Government, will continue as we take to another level our quest to create a better life for all South Africans.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, August 22 2013

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