North West premier, Job Mokgoro, on Friday confirmed that Cwaile did not resign on his own accord as his resignation letter alleged on Thursday. Mokgoro instead said Cwaile was dismissed from his position.

For the second time, whilst communicating on the future of Cwaile, Premier Mokgoro failed to explain why Cwaile was put on special leave last week, and what led to his sudden dismissal.

Cwaile announced his resignation on Thursday, following weeks of speculation about his future. He was replaced, on the same day of announcing his resignation, by the former Mahikeng mayor and ANC Women's League (ANCWL) provincial secretary, Nomtsama Miga, who will be the new MEC for the department. 

Following the announcement of Cwaile's special leave last week, he defied Mokgoro’s directive and stated that, contrary to what was communicated through the media, he was not on special leave and continued to carry out his duties as the MEC. In a statement on Thursday, Cwaile said “...it is only fair that I should relinquish my duties as MEC". His resignation came into effect Wednesday 11 August 2021, with no clarity as to what led to this.

However, Mokgoro on Friday said “I have, as Premier of the North West Province, dismissed MEC Cwaile from his position as MEC for Cogta in terms of section 132(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The dismissal of MEC Cwaile is with effect from 11 August 2021.”

Mokgoro has further thanked MEC Cwaile for his service during his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavours. In November 2020, Premier Mokgoro announced he appointed Cwaile as the MEC for Cogta. Cwaile’s appointment followed the passing of former MEC, Gordon Kegakilwe, who succumbed to Covid-19 related compliocations in July 2020.

OFM News