Political analyst at the University of the Free State, Sethulego Matebesi, says there have been a lot of grievances in the province.

"Perhaps the ANC delegates felt this will be the moment for them to select members who will advance the so-called ‘renewal narrative’.

"I do not believe many of us thought in terms of the PEC members that this is what was going to happen, but perhaps the members of the ANC are tired and they want to start on a new slate," he adds.

Dukwana has recently been elected as the chairperson of the party in the province, while he is also the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

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"For me, the current MECs that are not on the new PEC list will be removed; that is not even an option, but the question will be ‘when?'," says Matebesi.

He adds that it is possible that the removal of the MECs will happen after the 2024 elections, however, there might be big changes before the elections. He believes now is the time for the ANC to go back to basics under the leadership of Dukwana and reach out to the residents of the province to regain the trust that has been lost in the party.

"The newly elected leadership should try to intervene in the in-fighting in the Mangaung Metro Municipality, whoever is not performing in the municipality and government should be fired. The notion of protecting comrades should come to an end," explains Matebesi.

In conclusion, he wishes the newly elected PECs well and he believes that with capable leadership, the province will return to its former glory.

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The newly elected PEC members, whereby the provincial members of the Executive Committee (ExCo) are determined, caused a shake-up as the current provincial premier, Sisi Ntombela, didn’t make the cut.

Ntombela is among seven MECs who failed to make the list of these newly appointed PEC members, which are Tate Makgoe, Montsheng Tsiu, Makalo Mohale, William Bulwane, Thembeni Ngxangisa, Limakatso Mahasa and Mamiki Qabathe.

However, the spokesperson of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee, Oupa Khoabane, says it does not pave the way for people who are not elected as PEC members to be reshuffled.

The ANC Youth League in the Lejweleputswa region is calling for a reshuffle to happen "as soon as possible". The spokesperson, Ayanda Madona, says they are aware that not being on the PEC list does not mean a reshuffle, however, they feel a reshuffle is necessary because no good has been done by those who currently hold the power in specific departments.

"It does not matter whether you are a PEC member or not, or which department you are from, if your department doesn’t deliver quality services to residents, you must be reshuffled," he adds. Madona says that it is unfortunate that all the departments’ committees in the province are not happy with the work that has been done. 

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