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Former ANC national spokesperson Jackson Mthembu is the party’s new chief whip in the National Assembly. His appointment was confirmed to the SABC by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe this morning.
ANC sources told City Press that Mthembu’s name was confirmed by the national working committee yesterday, the day after the national executive committee’s three-day meeting on the weekend. But ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa wouldn’t confirm Mthembu’s appointment when contacted yesterday.
Mthembu replaced Stone Sizani, who resigned last month.
Sources said that Mthembu’s was one of three names that were discussed by the NEC.
The others were ANC MPs Richard Mdakane and Thoko Didiza.
Mdakane was not an NEC member and, according to sources, his name was dismissed offhand by the majority of members.
He chairs the National Assembly sub-committee that is reviewing Parliament rules. He is also the chairperson of the cooperative governance and traditional affairs portfolio committee.
“Most people wanted Thoko Didiza to be the new chief whip because she has integrity but it turned out this would mean a R30K cut in her salary,” said a source.
Didiza is one of three National Assembly house chairpersons (senior MPs who assist presiding officers in presiding over sittings).
House chairs earn about R274 000 more a year than the chief whip of the majority party, according to the 2015-2016 Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers' recommendation.
Mthembu became a member of Parliament in 2014. He chairs the National Assembly’s portfolio committee on environmental affairs.
Sources say Mthembu’s name was raised in the meeting by Phil Mapulane, an ANC MP from the North West province.
Mthembu is a former MEC for Transport in Mpumalanga.
Last week, Mthembu spoke out in support of the deputy minister of finance, Mcebisi Jonas, tweeting: “I believe Cde Jonas, @MyANC_ must deal with this arrogance of the #Guptas once and for all!!Who the hell do they think they are!”
@hlatseentle I believe Cde Jonas, @MyANC_ must deal with this arrogance of the #Guptas once and for all!!Who the hell do they think they are
— Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) March 16, 2016
