Economic adviser to former president Thabo Mbeki, Wiseman Nkuhlu, remains chairman of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation but his job is on the line, he said on Thursday.

The Congress of the People claimed earlier this week that Nkuhlu, who was away on a business trip at the time, was fired after he was associated with the party.

The party said Nkuhlu was informed in a letter from Eastern Cape finance and economic affairs MEC Phumulo Masaulle that his employ with the ECDC had been terminated.

Nkuhlu on Thursday told Sapa he had received a letter from the MEC, however, it did not indicate that he had been terminated.

"I am still chairman of the ECDC... I received a letter from the MEC indicating he would like to meet... we are still arranging a meeting," he said.

The letter from the MEC, published in the Daily Dispatch on
Thursday, read: "It is of great concern to me that numerous efforts by my office to secure appointments with you as early as the beginning of January 2009 to discuss various issues of importance to the provincial government as the sole shareholder of the corporation have been unsuccessful."

"... The circumstances raised in this letter call into question your ability to continue to deliver on the expected mandate.

"As a result, I am giving consideration to relieving you of your appointment as chairman of the board, but would like to afford you the opportunity to make representations to me before I make a decision."

Nkuhlu said he was keen to meet Masaulle but has failed in attempts to secure the meeting thus far.

On whether his position being jeopardised was a result of his perceived connection to Cope, Nkuhlu said: "I don't know about that... it wasn't mentioned in the letter."

According to reports, he was nominated by the province to the party's list of candidates for parliament.

Nkuhlu said he has not yet decided whether he would accept the nomination.

"I am in discussions with the leadership of Cope, that matter has not yet been finalised."

Chief of staff in the MEC's office Andile Fani said he could not immediately comment.