Durban - The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has fielded two new Members of the Provincial Legislature to fill the vacancies left by two axed MECs.
Former ANC Youth League leader, Sifiso Sonjica, and former MPL, Nomakiki Majola, were on Thursday sworn in as members of the provincial legislature by Speaker Lydia Johnson.
They took up the positions vacated by former Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni, who quit as MPLs when axed from the cabinet.
ANC caucus spokeswoman, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, said Majola and Sonjica filled the vacancies because they were next on the ANC’s MPL reserve list to the legislature.
“They are seasoned members who understand the policies and principles of the ANC. We are convinced that they will assist the ANC in ensuring policies are implemented, and hold the government accountable,” Simelane-Zulu said.
Majola served the last term as an MPL, but did not return in 2014. She has until recently been one of the senior managers in the provincial health department.
Sonjica served as ANCYL provincial chairman in the early 2000s.
He was one of the candidates vying for ANC eThekwini regional chairmanship in 2012, along with health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo and MPL Nhlakanipho Ntombela.
Sonjica, a businessman, withdrew from the regional chairman race, which was ultimately won by Dhlomo.
Simelane-Zulu said that Sonjica and Majola were expected to play an important role in the ANC caucus.
She also said the several vacancies for portfolio committee chairpersons have been put in abeyance until after the municipal elections.
“The ANC has decided to put everything on hold,” Simelane-Zulu said.