MARAIS HEADED FOR PREMIERSHIP?

Former Cape Town mayor Peter Marais appears firm favourite to become premier of the Western Cape in a deal which will also see the axing of a number of current New National Party MECS. NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Thursday that Marais had been earmarked for "a key position" in the power-sharing deal being negotiated between the party and the African National Congress. He stopped short of endorsing Marais as the NNP's candidate for the Western Cape premiership, saying democratic party processes had yet to be completed. Marais on Wednesday resigned as mayor and as a Democratic Alliance member, after the Cape High Court earlier in the day overturned his sacking by the DA leadership. At a media conference on Thursday on Marais' future, Van Schalkwyk said the controversial politician and other party leaders "will play a key role in the future". Marais would also be appointed to a key position in the NNP. Which position was not yet clear, as there were still "certain party political processes" that had to be completed. It is expected that Marais will be elected provincial leader at the party's head council meeting next Thursday. Van Schalkwyk declined to elaborate on the composition of a new Western Cape provincial cabinet, saying it was still the subject of bilateral discussions. "The framework is in place. There are still some problem areas that we are putting views on the table, but right from the outset both parties have been absolutely committed to make this work.... "I have full confidence that it will go well and we will have an agreement soon." However, party sources said the negotiations had started from the "very important" departure point that the premiership would go to the NNP, ...