On 5 February 2023, the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) took the decision to recall Ntombela, who was not re-elected to the PEC, as premier of the Free State. The PEC then sent the names of three party members, including Dukwana, to the party's national structures to select a successor. On 21 February, Ntombela announced her resignation as ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced that the party's "Top 7" leadership officials had selected Dukwana to take over as premier. He was elected premier on 24 February.
