ANC fires North West premier

NORTH WEST Premier Maureen Modiselle is set to resign today. Sowetan has reliably learnt that the ANC will today ask Modiselle to resign – and she will oblige.

Modiselle's departure follows media reports that the ANC sought to replace her with ANC national deputy secretary Thandi Modise.

Modise, who is a former speaker of the North West provincial legislature, is expected to be sworn in as a member of the provincial legislature today and ultimately as premier.

Yesterday the provincial task team of the ANC in North West met members of Modiselle's cabinet in Mafikeng, where changes to the provincial government were announced.

Sowetan has learnt that Modiselle was not part of the meeting, She was in Cape Town meeting President Jacob Zuma. Modiselle's spokesperson, Matshube Mfoloe, could not confirm the meeting with Zuma.

But he confirmed that Modiselle was in Cape Town "for a scheduled meeting". In terms of the changes announced yesterday health MEC Rebecca Kasienyane will be replaced by Magome Masike, Paul Sebogo will take over the department of local government from MEC Gordon Kegakilwe, while MEC for education OJ Tselapedi will be replaced by Raymond Elisha.

North West task team coordinator Saki Mofokeng refused to comment and referred Sowetan to Luthuli House.

The team was formed after the disbandment of the provincial executive by the ANC headquarters last year.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe also refused to comment. Modise will be sworn in as a member of the provincial legislature before she can be formally elected as premier.

Modiselle had been under pressure from the SACP and Cosatu to resign after she fired then MEC for arts and culture Grace Bothman.

Bothman, who is a member of the SACP central committee, has since been appointed a member of Parliament.