North West premier Job Mokgoro is set to clash with his provincial ANC colleagues after insisting that he will reshuffle the provincial cabinet this week.
Mokgoro, who recovered from Covid-19 a week ago, told the Sunday Times it was his prerogative to appoint and remove members of the provincial cabinet and not that of the ANC interim provincial leadership.
But ANC leaders in the province say Mokgoro has yet to consult the party about his plans and that forging ahead with the reshuffle might cost him his job.
Mokgoro initially wanted to make changes to his cabinet at the beginning of the month, but he was infected with Covid-19 and had to be hospitalised in Gauteng.
One of his targets, co-operative governance, human settlements & traditional affairs MEC Gordon Kegakilwe, has since passed away from Covid-19 complications.
Mokgoro's plan for a reshuffle is being supported by the DA in the North West.
A week after his recovery from Covid-19, Mokgoro told the Sunday Times he was going to announce the changes with or without the ANC's blessings.
"The fundamental issue is, am I operating within the constitution of the ANC? Am I operating within the constitution of the country? And once you have answered in the affirmative, irrespective of what people say, you are going to be resolute and do what you think is in the interest of the people that we serve."
Mokgoro said the changes would be informed by the auditor-general's reports and performance reports to the legislature and national government. He hinted the reshuffle may also have been influenced by investigations carried out by the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit in the province.
News of the planned reshuffle first came to light earlier this month after Mokgoro informed alliance partners of his intentions, causing a backlash when it emerged that he had bypassed the ANC.
ANC insiders in the North West have vowed to oppose a reshuffle. They accused Mokgoro of being motivated by the coming provincial congress. When asked about his interest in leading the ANC in the province, Mokgoro did not rule himself out of the race.
A party insider insisted that the ANC wanted a full report before any reshuffle goes ahead. "He is not a free agent, he must know that he was not elected, it is the ANC that is elected," the insider said.
"If he goes ahead with the reshuffle, it means he is no longer interested in the job. If he reshuffles, we are going to reshuffle him."
ANC co-ordinator Hlomane Chauke confirmed that Mokgoro had not shared his plans for a reshuffle with the party.
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