REFILWE MEKOA
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson might be Premier of the Northern Cape.
This is according to North West political analyst Theo Venter. Venter said he doesn’t think Joemat-Pettersson will be in the next national parliament cabinet. He was speaking ahead of the announcement of the new cabinet. Venter stated if media reports are true, Joemat-Pettersson is one of the people who might leave.
“She may find herself in the Northern Cape legislature or even premier of that province. That is an interesting move as she goes back to Kimeberley where she is originally from but nothing is confirmed yet. Towards the weekend or early next week, we will have a good indication of who will leave parliament and who will not be part of the cabinet anymore. This is the only time where we all rely on speculations,” said Venter.
Media reports states that Joemat-Pettersson had a tough term in office after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found her twice guilty of improper conduct in 2012 and last December. It is alleged that a move to the Northern Cape could be an exit strategy as last year she was allegedly tipped to replace ailing Northern Cape premier Hazel Jenkins, but the ANC instead appointed Sylvia Lucas.
