Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s cabinet reshuffle was a way of protecting his inability to act against abuse of power, maladministration and corruption in the province, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said on Wednesday.
“At a time when local government elections are just a few months away, this move is simply an attempt to make his administration to be seen to be doing something about maladministration and corruption,” said the party’s spokesman in Gauteng, Ntobeng Ntobeng.
Makhura appointed African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng chairman and MP Paul Mashatile as MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
Jacob Mamabolo was moved from the Housing and Cogta portfolio to Infrastructure Development, while Nandi Mayathula-Khoza was moved from Infrastructure Development to become Social Development MEC, replacing Molebatsi Bopape.
Last year, Makhura ordered a forensic investigation into allegations of misconduct, maladministration and corruption in the provincial department of sport, arts, culture and recreation under the control of Bopape.
Makhura said at the time that he had received complaints from officials within the department, detailing allegations of misconduct and maladministration during Bopape’s tenure in office.
Late last year, Bopape was moved to the Social Development portfolio before she was suspended pending the outcome of a forensic investigation. Makhura said the investigation was continuing.
The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) said it welcomed the return of Mashatile to Gauteng. The union said Mashatile had vast experience in local governance.
“Comrade Mashatile is no stranger to governance in Gauteng, having had a short stint as the premier of the province,” Samwu deputy secretary in Gauteng, Nonceba Mbilini, said.
“As the largest trade union in local government and one of the largest stake holders, we take particular interest in the political leadership in the sector. We trust that MEC Mashatile will pick up from where his predecessor left off, in the interest of municipal workers and service delivery in the province.”
African News Agency
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