Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela Resigns After Provincial ANC Recalled Her From the Premiership

• The ANC's Sisi Ntombela is on her way out as premier of the troubled Free State province
• Ntombela's resignation comes after the ruling party recalled her from the top provincial position
• ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that the ruling party wants the transition of leadership in the province to be as drama-free as possible

BLOEMFONTEIN - Embattled Sisi Ntombela has tendered her resignation as premier of the Free State.

This comes after the ANC in the province recalled Ntombela earlier in February.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe expressed concern over the calibre of provincial and municipal government leadership.

Ntomela's resignation follows defeat in race for Free State chairperson position

Ntombela's resignation is the latest in a string of blows for the outgoing premier. Last month, the embattled politician lost out on the Free State ANC chairpersonship to Cooperative Governance MEC Mxolisi Dukwana.

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Dukwana, his deputy, Ketso Makume, and ANC provincial deputy secretary Dubolelo Mahlatsi have been nominated to take over the reins from Ntombela, SABC News reported.

Mangaung Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana also expected to be axed

The outgoing Free State premier isn't the only person's head on the chopping block. The ruling party is expected to give Mangaung Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana the boot after he was recalled from the position in August 2022.

The ANC seems to be staking up the administration in a municipality that has been crippled by allegations of maladministration, mismanagement of funds, corruption and service delivery, EWN reported.

Speaking on the change in leadership in the troubled province, party Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula had this to say:

"We want a smooth process of transition. We don’t want drama because it’s unnecessary."

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South Africans are pleased Sisi Ntombela will no longer be Free State premier

South Africans welcomed Ntombela's resignation, reducing her tenure in office to nothing but wasted years.

Here is what people had to say:

@LadyWhoIsBlack celebrated:

"She was useless anyways. All she did was attend funerals with her spokesperson forever taking photos of their outfits."

@lepaka1234 said:

"I for one really questioned her appointment in the first place, honestly, any leadership quality is not there. But go rest well, Mama."

@teighdaking added:

"Long overdue. What a wasted tenure and years of our lives, she’s been clueless ngl."

Bloza Mositsa celebrated:

"Thank you."

@BoSeboMakena wished:

"Bye, Sisi!"

President Cyril Ramaphosa thanks David Mabuza for serving SA, Mzansi is confused: “What service?”

In another story, Briefly News reported that after being raked over the coals by members of the National Assembly and Congress of Provinces, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally responded to the State of the National debate.

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In closing his response, President Ramaphosa took special care to bid farewell to outgoing Deputy President David Mabuza.

The president ceremoniously raised his glass to the DP and let out a simple but effective "Cheers, DP," as the crowd applauded.

Source: Briefly News