By Akani Nkuna
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has announced a major reshuffle of the Provincial Executive Council, citing strategic realignment, performance assessments and the need to improve service delivery.
Pule Shayi was appointed MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Eddie Maila was appointed MEC for Health, and Constance Kupa-Mabuza was appointed MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.
The three were sworn in on Wednesday by the Judge President George Phatudi at the Office of the Premier in Polokwane on Wednesday.
The Education and Public Works portfolios remain unchanged, with Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and Ernest retaining their positions.
Florence Radzilani was moved to Social Development, while Nakedi Kekana will oversee Transport.
Tshitereke Matibe was appointed MEC for Economic Development, Kgabo Mohoai will head Treasury, and Basikopo Makamu was moved to Agriculture and Rural Development.
Funani Maseko, Susan Mathye and Dieketseng Mashego were removed from the Executive Council.
Ramathuba thanked the outgoing MECs and said the changes were necessary to ensure the provincial government remained responsive to emerging challenges.
“As a government, we must constantly evaluate our progress. There is always room for improvement and to better serve our people, we must ensure our team is agile, focused and ready to meet the evolving demands of our province,” she said in a statement.
The reshuffle also brings members of the ANC Limpopo leadership elected at the party’s 11th Provincial Conference earlier this year into the provincial government.
Those removed from the Executive Council are no longer part of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
The DA in Limpopo criticised the reshuffle, accusing Ramathuba of using provincial government structures to advance ANC political interests.
“Limpopo does not need an executive designed around ANC internal politics. This is the antithesis of ethical governance, which requires putting the interests of the people above narrow party-political interests,” DA Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle said.
Shayi was until Wednesday morning the mayor of Mopani District Municipality, a position he had held for nearly five years.
He resigned as mayor before being appointed CoGTA MEC.
Smalle alleged that Mopani had faced several challenges under Shayi’s leadership, including water service failures and unqualified audit outcomes.
He described Shayi as “unfit and incapable” of leading the portfolio at provincial level.
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