DURBAN - ActionSA has appointed eThekwini party chief whip Musa Kubheka as the new provincial chairperson to replace Dr Makhosi Khoza.
The party’s national chairperson Michael Beaumont officially announced Kubheka as new interim provincial chairperson on Friday.
Ahead of his appointment the Daily News had been reliably informed that the party’s national leadership had chosen him and this would be formally announced in a meeting, which was to be held later on Thursday evening.
In a statement issued by the party on Friday it said Kubheka’s appointment was fully endorsed by the party’s provincial interim executive committee which unanimously pledged to give him all the necessary support.
His ascendency to provincial position also means he will have to vacate his position as eThekwini regional chairperson.
Speaking to the Daily News about his appointment on Sunday, Kubheka thanked his party and national leadership for entrusting him with the position, saying it humbled him.
“I am so grateful to the party for the trust it has shown in me with this appointment. I will work hard to grow the party in the province,” said Kubheka.
He was number two on the party’s eThekwini candidate list and was subsequently appointed to the chief whip position.
The Daily News understands that Kubheka was initially earmarked for mayoral candidate, while Khoza was still reluctant to return to local government, but he had to make way for her after she changed her mind and accepted party nomination.
The party has four seats in eThekwini.
Khoza, who led the party election campaign in the province, was asked by the party to step down as provincial leader, and the initial reason was that the party wanted her to focus on her new position as the municipality Mpac chairperson.
It has since emerged that the party was punishing her for rebelling against it.
On Wednesday, she and her boss Herman Mashaba clashed publicly during an interview on Radio 702 where Mashaba accused her of betraying the DA-led bloc during the voting of eThekwini mayor.
Mashaba also lashed out at her for contesting the Mpac position without approval by the party, but Khoza hit back, accusing the party founder of wanting to micromanage provincial leaders.
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