Johannesburg -
Newly-appointed Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta)
Minister David van Rooyen is going to have a hard time in charge of local
government, especially with elections around the corner, analysts said on
Monday.
It was announced on Sunday that Van Rooyen, who was
appointed as finance minister on Wednesday, would replace Pravin Gordhan as
head of Cogta. Gordhan would return to his former position of finance minister.
This shuffling followed the shock axing of Nhlanhla Nene as
finance minister.
Political analyst Mzukisi Qobo said Van Rooyen was lucky to
still be in charge of a portfolio.
"No one would have considered him for either position
in the first place. He is relatively unknown at a serious political level. He
is someone who will clearly be as clueless in Cogta as he would have been in
the National Treasury," he said.
Analyst Somadoda Fikeni said the very fact that Van Rooyen
was seen as a last-minute second choice for the position of Cogta minister
weakened his position even before he had started the job.
"Also, the fact that he was in the sector as a mayor
means his record will be under scrutiny. It already creates a lot of legitimacy
challenges."
Van Rooyen was mayor of the Merafong municipality, which
includes Fochville and Carletonville. In 2005, residents staged violent
protests against his decision to have the municipality incorporated into the
North West from Gauteng. The Municipal Demarcation Board approved the decision,
but Zuma later reversed it.
Fikeni said local government was an important strategic
area, especially with the upcoming local government elections.
"The ANC will be more vulnerable [with Van Rooyen's
appointment]. They could be seen as not taking local government
seriously," he said.
"This last minute decision will forever haunt Van
Rooyen. He will have to work miracles to change this perception."
He said the perception of the minister's position being
"juniorised" with Van Rooyen’s appointment could create problems.
Deputy Cogta Minister Andries Nel had a strong background in the sector, but
was apparently overlooked for the position.
"Him being bypassed raises issues."
