Ravi Pillay resigns as MEC on eve of election of new KZN premier
Ravi Pillay has resigned as KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Pillay, who's headed the KZN portfolio in outgoing premier Sihle Zikalala's cabinet, hasn't gone into much detail about his departure, only saying it comes after discussions with the ANC.
Pillay thanked the province for the resilience shown in the face of challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, the July 2021 unrest and this year's floods.
He says his resignation as a member of the KZN legislature and the executive committee will be tabled at the provincial legislature sitting set to take place on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the KZN legislature's due to elect the province's new premier on Wednesday.
The ANC in KZN confirmed it nominated Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube after interviewing three candidates.
Zikalala resigned from the top job a week ago, paving the way for changes under the party's new provincial leadership.
His bid to stay on as ANC KZN chair was unsuccessful.
Political analyst Protas Madlala says he hopes the new premier puts the interests of the people before the party.
"Whoever is going to take over the leadership of this organisation which is the majority in the province, will have the job to save this province from all its problems. But according to the ANC, from Thabo Mbeki to Zuma, is the ANC comes first and our country comes second. That was officially said by Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
“So I take that is the attitude of all the supporters. Just look at the time they spend fighting and not talking about you and I, or about our welfare.”
The election will be held at the Surcher Auditorium in the Mooi River Business Park.
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