Rumours Makhura plans to axe Mazibuko in Gauteng cabinet reshuffle

Elite circle murmurs suggest Gauteng Premier David Makhura is planning another cabinet reshuffle that would see ANC communications manager Khusela Sangoni soon occupying the office for MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation.

The Citizen has established that present MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation Faith Mazibuko is due to be axed.

But it is not clear if Mazibuko will be given a new role.

Makhura, also the ANC Gauteng provincial deputy chair, is expected to make the announcement on Thursday.

ANC Gauteng insiders said the imminent cabinet reshuffle was about the party’s elective national conference in December.

“They are fighting,” one insider said.

But ANC Gauteng spokesperson Nkenke Kekana said: “I don’t know anything about it. Ask the provincial government.”

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And Gauteng provincial government spokesperson Thabo Masebe quashed rumours of a cabinet reshuffle.

“I’m not aware of any plans of a reshuffle,” Masebe said. “It’s nothing more than just rumours.”

Sangoni declined to comment.

This latest development comes amid speculation that President Jacob Zuma is also planning a national Cabinet reshuffle to sideline his detractors.

DA Gauteng leader John Moodey said he would not be surprised if there was a Cabinet reshuffle.

“There is a power struggle in the ANC leading up to the elective conference in December,” Moodey said.

Last year, Makhura reshuffled his cabinet in a move that saw ANC Gauteng provincial chair Paul Mashatile deployed to the human settlements and cooperative governance and traditional affairs portfolio.

His appointment was seen by some as retaliation against Zuma. Mashatile was fired by the president as arts and culture minister in 2014.

Sangoni, a member of the ANC Gauteng provincial executive committee, was appointed ANC national communications manager last year.

She replaced Keith Khoza, who took up a position in the Gauteng provincial government.

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