Her resignation comes after the newly elected ANC's Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), led by Chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana, requested her to resign. Ntombela, who has long been associated with Dukwana's political rivals, Ace Magashule, lost the race to Dukwana in January 2023's provincial elective conference to become the chairperson of the ANC in the province.

ALSO READ: Free State ANC recalls Ntombela

Following this, there was rife speculation about the future of Ntombela. Many associated her reign in the province with the era of former Premier Magashule.

Previously, ANC spokesperson, Jabu Mbalula, told OFM News that the PEC decided Dukwana, as the ANC chairperson in the province, should ascend to the position of premier. He said the party took stock of what has transpired across the province, and this has since forced the party to take the resolution and recall Ntombela. 

Mbalula said, as per the norm, the PEC will then send three names to the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), who will then decide who should replace Ntombela. Mbalula cautioned that the move should not be taken out of context. He further advised that serious engagements led the party to the decision.

"The ANC in the province wishes to thank these comrades for their contribution to the portfolios within which they were deployed. Furthermore, the PEC appreciates the comradely spirit with which the said comrades received the ANC decision. Additionally, the PEC resolved that government must facilitate no less than 50 000  (fifty thousand) employment opportunities for young people in the next financial year and grow it exponentially in subsequent years. The PEC deferred the discussion on modalities of this resolution to the PEC Lekgotla," Mbalula said.

The recalling of Ntombela comes weeks after the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) made a call for the removal of the embattled Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality's Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, to be removed as the mayor.

In January 2023, the Secretary-General of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, lashed out at  Siyonzana.

Speaking at the ANC Youth League's Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture in the Free State on Saturday 7 January 2023, Mabalula accused Siyonzana of "sleeping on the job".

ALSO READ: Mbalula lashes out at Mangaung mayor

The resignation of Ntombela comes after the ANC's NEC held its Monday Lekgotla. Three names will be sent to replace Ntombela and its likely that Dukwana, as the chairperson of the province and also an ally of President Ramaphosa, will take the reigns in the province.

OFM News