Johannesburg - Paul Mashatile has returned to the Gauteng legislature as an MEC, in a move aimed at jerking the ANC’s political machinery in the province and reaching out to the middle-class constituencies.
The former premier of the province, who was summarily axed as Minister of Arts and Culture by President Jacob Zuma 20 months ago, was on Tuesday night appointed MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs by Premier David Makhura. This was as Makhura reshuffled his cabinet three months after his last changes.
It’s a move some believe is a bid to kick-start the ANC political machinery in the province and appeal to the key black middle-class voting bloc in the upcoming local government elections. Others believe it is the provincial ANC once again exerting its authority and defying the president.
Mashatile takes over from Jacob Mamabolo, who has been redeployed to Infrastructure Development, replacing Nandi Manyathula-Khoza. The latter has been moved to Social Development, a portfolio she previously headed.
Molebatsi Bopape, who held the Social Development portfolio, was unceremoniously axed.
In October, Makhura announced that MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko and Bopape would swop portfolios, a decision that was severely criticised by opposition parties in the province.
Bopape’s axing on Tuesday follows protracted accusations and counter-accusations of misconduct against her. She has had to fend off a storm, with a faction within the province accusing her of misconduct allegedly related to tenders.
But it was Mashatile’s appointment that particularly raised eyebrows. It could be seen as a move to embarrass Zuma, who relegated him to the backbenches in Parliament.
Before the tenure of Nomvula Mokonyane as the premier, Gauteng was dogged by the problem of two centres of power, with allegations that Mashatile and his allies in the provincial ANC leadership were imposing decisions on Mokonyane’s administration. This included the appointment to key positions such as MECs.
Mashatile is seen as a close ally of Makhura and both are known to be against the corruption scandals and poor image of the national leadership, which they believe will negatively impact the ANC in the local government elections.
The 2014 election results in Gauteng were in particular a huge wake-up call for the ANC, with support for the ruling party in the province sliding by 11 percent to 53.59 percent, while the Metros took a beating from the opposition.
Announcing his reshuffle, Makhura said the decision was motivated by the need to strengthen the capacity of his administration and fast-track service delivery programmes.
On Mashatile’s appointment, Makhura said it was because of his (Mashatile’s) experience and expertise.
“I am pleased I recruited a powerful player. Paul Mashatile has vast experience in the politics of the province since he held the helm at Safety and Security, Transport, Housing and Finance,” the premier said.
“With his wealth of experience in government, he will bring more impetus in the implementation of the new mega human settlements and in building greater co-operation between the provincial government and local spheres of government.”
Makhura said the ANC wanted to retain all municipalities in the province and his decision has been supported by the ANC’s top six.
He conceded that 2016 was a critical year for his administration, with particular attention needed to be paid to the provincial economy.
“We've got to do extraordinary things to turn our national economy, which is not performing well.We have to enhance our capacity,” he said.
Political analyst Ibrahim Fakir said while the reshuffling will affect the municipal elections, it was unlikely to effect a turnaround in the programmes and service delivery in terms of how the government works.
“I don't know if this is really a big thing. This must be more about internal Gauteng politics, but I can't tell you what the rationale is. It is the middle of the term of the current government and they are entitled to refocus the priorities of the government if they wish to,” he said.
The Star