At a press conference in Bhisho earlier today, August 16, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane announced that he has reshuffled his cabinet, resulting in at least three MECs moving to new portfolios and the appointment of three new MECs.
Mabuyane said last month he acceded to the request by the former MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, Babalo Madikizela who asked to be released from the executive.
He said as a result, he has decided to move some of the MECs to new portfolios and he has appointed three new MECs.
However, Mabuyane has insisted that there was no crisis that resulted in the change to the cabinet.
“This necessitated that I undertake an intense process of finding a long-term solution of filling the vacancy to the conclusion of this term. In doing so, I also had to consider the fact that we are halfway through the term of the sixth administration which is more like the second half of a soccer match,” said Mabuyane.
His changes to the cabinet include, Xolile Nqata moving from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to Transport and Community Safety, Nonceba Kontsiwe moving from Human Settlements to Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi moving from Social Development to Human Settlements.
- Zolile Williams who will take over as MEC for COGTA
- Bukiwe Fanta who is the new MEC for Social Development
- Ntombovuyo Nkopane who is the new MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure.
“This team ticks the right boxes in terms of the requisite leadership skills, the 60/40 percent gender equity in favour of women MECs, and the geographic spread of the province,” said Mabuyane.
