During a special sitting at the Provincial Legislature, the 64-year-old former Robben island prisoner received 21 of the 29 available votes in the Legislature. It is revealed that of the overall 33 members present in the legislature today, four abstained from casting their ballots, hence the 29 available votes. North West High Court Judge President Monica Leeuw presided over the process and will formally swear in the Premier-elect later in the day. Maape addressed the House briefly following his election.

"We want to commit ourselves to fight poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment. We commit to combat gender-based violence wherever it rears its stubborn and ugly head. Together we’ll form a strong battalion against corruption. We continue to join hands with others to fight Covid-19. Together we will move this province forward,” says Maape.

The ANC’s veteran’s election comes after he was sworn in as a member of the Provincial Legislature last week, replacing Mokgoro who had resigned as both premier and MPL following mounting pressure from the ANC’s Interim Provincial Committee (IPC). The IPC had at the top of the year suspended Mokgoro for going against the party’s mandate and then officially ousted him in August. He resigned following discussions with ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa. Most of the municipalities in the province are at this stage in distress.

This is a developing story.

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