POST REPORTERS
THE MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works in KwaZulu-Natal, Maggie Govender, has been sacked from Premier Zweli Mkhize’s cabinet. On Tuesday, Premier Mkhize announced a cabinet shuffle.
Govender’s portfolio was given to Ravi Pillay, the ANC Chief Whip in the KZN Legislature.
However, Govender will remain an ordinary member of the provincial legislature.
Other changes included Meshack Radebe being appointed MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs; Weziwe Thusi taking over the Social Development portfolio and Ntombikayise Sibhidla overseeing Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.
Political analysts say the decision to move Govender from the housing portfolio was not unexpected.
Her department came under fire after a recent report by the auditor-general found a series of irregularities, corruption and maladministration.
This included unauthorised expenditure amounting to R199 million.
Earlier this year it re-allocated R200m from KZN to better-performing regions.
Political analyst Lubna Nadvi said: “If the premier and the KZN Legislature are taking corruption seriously and that is one of the reasons she has been replaced, then this is good for South African politics.
“Politicians who do not deliver must be held accountable.”
Pillay became involved in politics in 1975, while in matric at Port Shepstone Secondary School.
He joined the ANC in 1981 and took on the post of chief whip in 2009.
Pillay said that no one could pretend the issues at the department were not complex.
However, with the backing of the ANC and civil society he was hoping to take things forward.