ANC welcomes Gauteng executive reshuffle
2012-07-16 19:50
Johannesburg - The African National Congress in Gauteng has welcomed the reshuffle of the Gauteng executive council.
"We believe that the reorganisation and re-deployment of MECs will further enhance capacity in government and re-focus the departments to serve the people," provincial spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli said in a statement on Monday.
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced a reshuffle of her executive council following the resignation of local government and housing MEC, Humphrey Mmemezi.
Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe would take over Mmemzi's position.
Conduct and ethics
Mmemezi quit after an integrity commission report presented to the Gauteng legislature found him guilty of contravening the province's code of conduct and ethics.
Although Mmemezi was no longer an MEC, he would stay on as a member of the Gauteng legislature.
The ANC in the province also welcomed and congratulated the two newly appointed MECs, Hope Papo and Nkosiphendule Kolisile.
"... Collectively and individually [they] have a lot to offer both in terms of their experience and commitment," said Ntuli.
"Their knowledge and capacity will strengthen the functioning of government in driving programmes, [and] in meeting the objectives of the manifesto."
Papo, who was sworn in on Monday, would take over as health MEC.
Merit
Kolisile was appointed economic development MEC and would take over from Qedani Mahlangu, who was moved to infrastructure development as MEC.
The Democratic Alliance said on Monday that the reshuffle did not appear to be based on merit.
"While we are glad that Ntombi Mekgwe has been shifted from health, we doubt that she will be able to fix the mess left... by her predecessor Humphrey Mmemezi," DA Gauteng caucus leader Jack Bloom said in a statement.
"She did not prove to have turn-around skills at the health department, and previously was not a successful mayor of Ekurhuleni."
Bloom welcomed the appointment of Papo to health.
"Hope Papo is scrupulous and honest, but the health department will be a huge challenge for him," said Bloom.
The health department has had three MECs in the past two years.
Disappointing
Bloom said it was "puzzling" that Mahlangu had been replaced by a junior like Kolisile, who was elected to the legislature in 2009.
"It is disappointing that Mokonyane did not make a more sweeping reshuffle to get rid of non-performers like community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko," said Bloom.
"It is plain that merit was not the deciding factor in this reshuffle, which largely reflects the Gauteng ANC's internal balance of factions."
The National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said on Monday that it was demanding that Mmemezi resign as a member of the provincial legislature.
"We were disturbed as a union to see deceitful tactics that were used by Mr Mmemezi during his last days as the MEC... when he attempted to interfere with the department's protocols in an attempt to hide his crimes," said Nehawu provincial secretary Tshepo Mokheranyana.
"We feel, though, that it is not enough that Mr Mmemezi has resigned as the MEC, but we demand that he also resign as a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature to save the integrity of the ANC and the Gauteng provincial legislature."
Mokheranyana said the union welcomed the report by the integrity commission and was impressed by the diligence and frankness with which it conducted its investigations.
- SAPA
