Mchunu collapse sparks debate over possible replacement
‘Permanent acting premier’ Sihle Zikalala is widely believed to be the best candidate — but whether he will step in before or after the elections is not known
The collapse of KwaZulu-Natal premier Willies Mchunu during his state of the province address on Wednesday morning has sparked speculation about his health, as well as whether he will relinquish his position for elections. Proceedings in the legislature were delayed for an hour following Mchunu’s collapse. Sihle Zikalala, the provincial ANC chair and MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, delivered the address on on Mchunu’s behalf. The 71-year-old premier took over in 2016 after his predecessor was forced by the provincial ANC leadership to vacate his position. Mchunu has spent a considerable amount of time on sick leave — he is understood to have been on sick leave since November last year — and has often been hospitalised. It is suspected that he has a heart condition. After his collapse, Mchunu was checked by health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo before emergency medical personnel were summoned to the scene. Mchunu was then taken away in an ambulance. ANC pr...
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