POLOKWANE – Premier Stanley Mathabatha made only three changes to his cabinet on Wednesday.
MEC for treasury, Rudolph Phala, was the only cabinet member to be axed.
Phala was replaced with the chairperson for parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Rob Tooley.
Health MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe was moved from the department of health to the department of education.
Dr Phophi Ramathuba was appointed as health MEC.
These were the only changes in the premier’s cabinet, as the rest of the MEC’s remained in their portfolios.
Mathabatha’s current cabinet members are:
• Jerry Ndou, public works, roads and infrastructure;
• Makoma Makhurupetje, cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta);
• Joy Matshoge, agriculture and rural development;
• Ishmael Kgetjepe, education;
• Seaparo Sekoati, economic development, environment and tourism;
• Rob Tooley, provincial treasury;
• Dr Phophi Ramathuba, health;
• Joyce Mashamba, social development;
• Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, transport, safety, security and liaison;
• Nandi Ndalane, sport, arts and culture.
“I have no doubt that the changes made will add value to our commitment to accelerate the delivery of services to our people and ensure an improvement in the overall administration of the provincial government,” the premier said.
Mathabatha wished the new cabinet well in their new assignments.
EFF’s Limpopo leader, Mike Mathebe said they had much trust in newly appointed MEC Rob Tooley, whom he described as a capable government figure.
He however, said it was a pity that the premier substituted a competent MEC like Rudolph Phala with another competent person (Tooley), instead of distributing the capability.
Mathebe criticised the premier for keeping on whom he described as poor performing MEC’s in Coghsta MEC, and Makoma Makoropetje, Nandi Ndalane of sports, arts and culture.
“One of those two was supposed to be sacked, not Phala. Some of the issues are very political.
“The reason why they sacked Phala is because he doesn’t have any constituency.
Kgetjepe remained because he is the chairperson of the ANC in Sekhukhune and Sekoati is unshaken because he is the chairperson of Mopani.
“As the EFF, we are disappointed by the reshuffling.
“Wrong people are replacing the right people,” Mathebe commented.
DA leader, Jacques Smalle said Rob Tooley has a lot of credibility and Dr Phophi Ramathuba truly brings expertise from her side and will add value in running of the health department.
“I have confidence in her appointment and we wish her well,” he said.
“As the new MEC for education, Kgetjepe should appoint a permanent HOD and fill other important positions.
“The sacked MEC, Rudolph Phala was supposed to be moved to another department because he has all qualities to lead.
“It may be that they are considering making him speaker of the Legislature again,” Smalle commented.
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