Anna Majavu

Anna Majavu

Confusion reigned yesterday about the future of Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool after the ANC in Western Cape and Luthuli House made conflicting statements about his fate.

ANC Western Cape secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha was qouted confirming that Rasool was given a month to step down.

ANC Western Cape provincial executive committee (PEC) member Garth Strachan told Sowetan that the "PEC was informed by the ANC national executive committee (NEC) that Rasool was asked to resign and that a process to look for a replacement has been put in place".

But ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe denied that a decision had been taken to axe Rasool. He said the NEC was still consulting the provincial structures on the matter.

Democratic Alliance leader Hellen Zille, meanwhile, said the reason the ANC seemed to have "backtracked" on the decision was because of constitutional implications.

Only the provincial legislature can terminate the services of a premier by passing a motion of no confidence with a two-thirds majority.

This means that the ANC will have to mobilise members of the provincial legislature to ensure that the decision is passed.