×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

chikane follows mbeki

Director-General in the Presidency Dr. Frank Chikane and Chief Operation Officer Trevor Fowler addresses media during a launch of Annual Presidential Report 2007-2008\n\nGOING: Director-general in the Presidency Frank Chikane. sow 03/10/08. page 5.
Director-General in the Presidency Dr. Frank Chikane and Chief Operation Officer Trevor Fowler addresses media during a launch of Annual Presidential Report 2007-2008\n\nGOING: Director-general in the Presidency Frank Chikane. sow 03/10/08. page 5.

Anna Majavu and SAPA

Anna Majavu and SAPA

A key member of former president Thabo Mbeki's government said yesterday that he would be leaving office at the end of the month.

Director-general in the Presidency Frank Chikane told the media yesterday that though he had renewed his contract last year, Mbeki was aware that it would only be for a year.

Chikane was one of Mbeki's team of trusted officials that included the former president's legal adviser Mojanku Gumbi and former minister in the presidency Essop Pahad.

Pahad resigned after Mbeki was fired by the ANC leadership. He said his departure was based on matters of principle as he was appointed by Mbeki.

Chikane is leaving amid reports that Mbeki's successor, President Kgalema Motlanthe, had asked him to stay.

Speaking at the launch of the presidency's annual report, Chikane hit out at what he said were "false theories about the presidency that had been perpetuated by the media".

He denied that the presidency was a huge, controlling institution that centralised power.

The presidency is "not about centralisation. There is no single person who dictates what happens in government", he said.

Chikane said he had not planned for an early transition.

"I thought it would happen in April (2009)," he said.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.