Premier Dr Zamani Saul announced a reshuffling of the Northern Cape Executive Council late Friday afternoon, 14 August, following the resignation of Fufe Makatong, the former MEC for Roads and Public Works.

The move comes at a critical time as the government faces mounting pressure over stalled infrastructure projects and the efficacy of its road maintenance campaigns.

The reshuffle sees Bentley Vass moving from Cooperative Governance to take over the high-pressure Roads and Public Works portfolio. Other appointments include Lebogang Motlhaping to the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), and Newreen Klaaste, the former speaker of the provincial legislature, as the new MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform.

Mirriam Kibi has been appointed to the premier’s office to oversee Children, Women, Youth, and Persons living with Disabilities.

Questions raised about flagship pothole-filling campaign

Saul framed these changes as an effort to “strengthen the capacity of the provincial government” and accelerate economic growth, noting that the province recently recorded the highest decline in unemployment in South Africa, dropping to 28,7%.

Despite the positive economic data, questions were raised regarding Operation Vala Zonke, the province’s flagship pothole-filling campaign. Although launched weeks ago, reports indicate that the “yellow fleet” of machinery remains largely idle, specifically within the Sol Plaatje Municipality.

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When pressed on why these expensive machines were stationary while road conditions worsened, Saul admitted he would need to investigate the exact locations and status of the fleet, though he insisted that “teams are working”.

Saul challenged the notion of his “interference” in department, which Makatong allegedly cited in her resignation, stating that his role involves “vigorous oversight” and “intervention” when targets are not met.

“The buck stops here,” Saul remarked.

“I intervene as needed without interfering, drawing on my seven years of experience as premier.”

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A central point of contention remains the upgrading of the Mamatwan road between Kathu and Hotazel. Despite an initial investment of about R200 million (with R147 million specifically cited as “unaccounted for” or wasted due to delays), the road remains in a state of “mess,” Saul said.

He revealed that the project, a 60/40 partnership between mining houses and the provincial government, has been plagued by irregular appointments and lost court cases, which forced the project to stop and the road to regress. Consequently, the cost to rebuild the road from scratch has ballooned to over R400 million.

The president has recently authorised an Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the project following persistent alerts from the Auditor General (AU) regarding a lack of consequence management.

Vass inherits a department under intense scrutiny. He is expected to lead a massive R25 billion infrastructure rollout plan over the next five years, with R4,3 billion earmarked for the current financial year.

Saul stated that he expected Vass to bring “new energy” to address the “heavy fight” against potholes and to ensure that major projects like the Mamatwan road finally reach completion.

Reshuffle the ‘desperate rearranging of deckchairs on sinking ship’

The ANC in a statement welcomed and endorsed the changes made to the provincial executive council. The party described the reshuffle as “a well-considered and strategic decision aimed at strengthening governance and enhancing service delivery”.

The party expressed “full confidence that these updates to the executive council will reinforce collective efforts to serve the people of the province”.

DA MPL Isak Fritz issued a blistering response to the appointments, particularly questioning the track record of the moved MECs. Fritz noted that Vass’ record at Coghsta “fills one with trepidation,” citing his failure to deliver on a pivotal R1 billion housing project where only 480 of 6 500 promised homes were delivered by May.

Contractors spoke of frustration with flawed geotechnical reports issued by the department, which delayed much-needed homes and contributed to the unnecessary escalation of construction costs, while the persistent non-payment of contractors forced individuals into bankruptcy.

Furthermore, the DA characterised Motlhaping as having “much experience of being an MEC, but no experience of being effective” across his previous portfolios.

“The latest cabinet reshuffle is the desperate rearranging of deckchairs on a sinking ship. The decisions announced by the premier seem motivated by political infighting rather than a genuine desire to improve service delivery, and the Northern Cape deserves better than this,” the DA stated.