Kwa-Zulu Natal MEC, Sihle Zikalala is allegedly set to be redeployed to the national assembly as a member of parliament for the ANC when president Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffles his cabinet.
This also comes as Mervyn Dirks, another ANC comrade from Kwa-Zulu Natal handed in his resignation from parliament on Monday. Speculation has it that Sihle Zikalala is most likely going to replace Dirks.
In a media statement released by the ANC in Kwa-Zulu Natal, it stated that as the province, they have agreed that Sihle Zikalala be redeployed to parliament. They said Zikalala is going to resign from his MEC position, as he will now be moved to the national assembly.
Speculation is rife that the resignation of Mervyn Dirks will pave way for Sihle Zikalala to be sworn as a member of parliament, and eventually be appointed to the executive by president Cyril Ramaphosa.
ANC members in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province argued that this was long overdue for Sihle Zikalala. They said he is going to be represent Kwa-Zulu Natal well in parliament.
“Whatever happens, best of luck to Sihle Zikalala. The moment has come for qualified young leaders to assume executive positions,” some said.
Critics argue that they would like to see Sihle Zikalala also becoming minister of cooperative governance, and replace Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who has been serving in government for a long time. They also said an attempt to sideline Zikalala by the Kwa-Zulu Natal province seem to have worked for his good.
“An attempt to completely write off comrade Sihle Zikalala from politics by his own province has failed with distinction. Lies have short legs, they run faster but they never finish the race,” said a social critic in response to the alleged redeployment of Zikalala to the national assembly.
Sihle Zikalala is a former Premier in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province. He is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC.
BREAKING NEWS: Former KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala is set to resign as COGTA MEC and move to the National Assembly, the ANC in KZN said in a statement. It is widely expected that Zikalala will take a national position when President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffles his cabinet.
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) January 30, 2023