The Speaker of the Legislature, Zanele Sifuba, says the sitting comes after former Premier, Sisi Ntombela, tendered her resignation on Tuesday 21 February 2023.  

ALSO READ: Ntombela resigns as Free State premier

OFM News previously reported the spokesperson for the newly elected ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), Jabu Mbalula, announced that the PEC had resolved to redeploy Ntombela and the mayor of the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality, Mxolisi Siyonzana.

Mbalula told OFM News that the PEC decided that Dukwana, as the ANC chairperson in the province, should ascend to the position of premier. During the proceedings, Sifuba will convene the sitting, allow for the nomination process to unfold and the secondment from all parties, and then allow for voting, whereafter she will announce the duly elected premier.

ALSO READ: Free State ANC recalls Ntombela

Due to the majority of ANC members in the legislature, it is highly unlikely that a nominated candidate other than Dukwana would emerge from the proceedings as the new premier.  

Mbalula said prior to the redeployment of Ntombela, the party took stock of all that has transpired across the province, and that has since forced them to take a resolution and recall Ntombela.

After the resignation of Ntombela, three names – including that of Dukwana, deputy chairperson of PEC Ketso Makume, and Deputy SG Dibolelo Mahlatsi, were sent to the ANC's national upper structure called the National Executive Committee (NEC), to conduct interviews with the three candidates.

On Tuesday, the ANC's National Secretary-General (SG), Fikile Mbalula, further announced that Dukwana was the preferred candidate for the position.

The ANC in the Free State has since cautioned that it went through a robust process to tackle challenges faced by the province.

ANC PEC spokesperson Jabu Mbalula further cautioned that the move should not be taken out of context but further advised that there were serious engagements that led to the party taking the decision to recall Ntombela.

"The ANC in the province wishes to thank these comrades for their contribution in the portfolios within which they were deployed.

"Furthermore, the PEC appreciates the comradely spirit with which the said comrades received the ANC's 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 added.

OFM News