Masualle to take Bhisho hot-seat

UNSCATHED by the Mandela burial funds saga, Eastern Cape ANC boss Phumulo Masualle will take over the reins as premier of the Eastern Cape from today.

After months of intense lobbying by the party's provincial leadership, ANC national bosses yesterday gave Masualle the mandate to lead the troubled Bhisho administration for the next five years.

He replaces Noxolo Kiviet, who was elected speaker of the Bhisho legislature despite appearing at number23 on the list.

Masualle will announce his executive council on Friday. - Nwabisa Makunga and Rochelle de Kock