The ANC in the Western Cape has demanded answers over the appointment of Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers as acting premier, questioning why the change at the top of the provincial government was not publicly explained.
Simmers was sworn in as acting premier and will remain in the position until September 24 while Premier Alan Winde is away.
The Western Cape Government has since publicly identified Simmers as acting premier, with Simmers representing the province in the position at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town on Tuesday.
But ANC Western Cape Legislature leader Khalid Sayed said in a statement that residents should have been told why Winde was not exercising his duties, when Simmers took over and how long the arrangement would remain in place.
Winde’s spokesperson Regan Thaw told Cape Argus: “Under law, when a Premier is traveling abroad, an acting Premier is appointed.”
“The people of the Western Cape should not have to speculate about why their Premier is not exercising his duties, when MEC Simmers assumed the role, or how long this arrangement will continue,” Sayed said.
The ANC acknowledged that the Constitution allows for an acting premier when the premier is absent or otherwise unable to perform the functions of the office.
Its concern, Sayed said, was the lack of public communication around the change.
“The Office of the Premier is the highest executive office in the province. A temporary transfer of its powers is not a minor administrative matter and must be communicated openly to the public,” he said.
Sayed said in the statement that the ANC would “use the mechanisms of the legislature to demand the answers residents deserve” should Winde fail to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Staff Reporter
iol.co.za