Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

The ANC in Limpopo has taken a decision to allow outgoing premier Sello Moloto to complete his term.

Unlike in the Free State, where Premier Beatrice Marshoff is being pushed to leave office, Moloto will stay put until the next general elections in about six months.

Reports earlier indicated that Moloto would be asked to resign following the ANC NEC's decision to recall former president Thabo Mbeki.

The decision by the ANC in Limpopo is one of the resolutions taken at the organisation's provincial conference at the University of Venda in July.

Moloto was beaten to the chairmanship by former provincial secretary Cassel Mathale, who can now be referred to as the premier- in-waiting.

Soon after the conference, the ANCYL called for Moloto's head. But the ANC in the province moved swiftly to protect him until his term expires.

Provincial secretary Joe Maswanganyi this week told SABC radio news that the status quo will remain, with Moloto leading the province. He said Mathale should only be appointed to the cabinet to allow for a smooth transition until he takes over the premiership.

Consequently, Mathale was last week sworn in as a member of the provincial legislature, a move that could see him being appointed MEC in the next few weeks.

Reports said Mathale and Moloto were summoned to Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, on Tuesday where a reiteration was made that Moloto must stay.

Lesiba Teffo, political analyst from the University of Limpopo, said yesterday that it was important that the ANC NEC should remind the provincial executive committees what their roles and responsibilities are, "and that every activity of the ANC are guided by the Freedom Charter, the ANC's Constitution, the Constitution of the country, and the laws of the land".