POLOKWANE – A reshuffle of the Limpopo executive is on the cards, as was confirmed by the premier’s spokesperson this week.
Spokesperson Kenneth Mathivha said the reshuffle will among other moves, include the appointment of a new education MEC, by premier Stanley Mathabatha.
The reshuffle was expected after the death of education MEC Thembi Nwendamutswu in January.
Mathabatha has since the beginning of May failed to deliver on his self-imposed promise to appoint a new MEC within two weeks.
“There will definitely be a change in the executive, but the date has not been confirmed yet,” Mathivha said. In 2014, the premier axed six cabinet members with only economic development, environment and tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati and treasury MEC Rudolph Phala remaining. At the time, the premier said he would not tolerate poor performance in the executive. Asked for comment, EFF Limpopo leader, Mike Mathebe, said the premier himself “was failing the people, because he is not performing”. People who do not have the capability or the experience are appointed to key positions. They also do not have the capacity or willingness to do their jobs for the people and this result in poor to no service delivery” he added. Mathebe said “most MEC’s should get the boot, starting with the health MEC, Ismael Kgetjepe”.
The departments of education and health are in a poor state and needed someone with the capability and experience to restore it to its full function.
The premier must stop being factional when appointing people and appoint people who can identify issues relevant to the public, deliver to their needs and give solutions to their problems,” said Mathebe.
DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle, said he expects a number of reshuffling, especially in health, cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta), education and safety, security and liaison.
“There are only two MEC’s strong enough to take on the education portfolio and in my opinion they are MEC Jerry Ndou and MEC Rudolf Phala.
“The department of Coghsta is also not performing to its full potential and I think the best candidate for this portfolio is MEC Ismael Kgetjepe.
“He has the experience as he worked in this department before, therefore I belief he can bring stability to the department,” Smalle said.
Smalle added that the premier had to move away from lip service, and hold people accountable for not performing.
“Government needs to move away from making false promises to our people in order to win votes. Government must be transparent in their action, so that we can have a capable government for society,” Smalle said.
The current cabinet:
• Rudolph Phala, treasury;
• Seaparo Sekoati, economic development environment and tourism;
• Ishmael Kgetjepe, health;
• Joyce Mashamba, social development;
• Jerry Ndou, public works, roads and infrastructure.
Also acting MEC for education;
• Makoma Makhurupetsi, cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs;
• Nandi Ndalane, sports, arts and culture;
• Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, transport, safety, security and liaison;
• Joyce Matshoge, agriculture and rural development.
