DA RESPONDS TO THE ANC's GAUTENG CABINET PURGE OF 2010: STACKING THE DECK IN FAVOUR OF MASHATILE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng believes that the Gauteng Cabinet purge will create unnecessary political instability in terms of governing the province, in order to appease political factions within the ANC. The four MEC's ousted from the ANC'S Gauteng Cabinet have long ago been identified by the Democratic Alliance (DA) as underperformers.   

The DA in Gauteng is disappointed that Faith Mazibuko retains an MEC position and has been moved to the critical position of Community Safety, where we do not believe she will do any better than Khabisi Mosunkuto. It will be interesting to see where this veteran MEC will be deployed to.  

I am dismayed that Qedani Mahlangu has been moved from Health and Social Development to Economic Development, as she was doing a better job in that  portfolio than any of her predecessors, including initiating enquiries into suspect tenders. Ismael Vadi's appointment as MEC for Roads and Transport comes as a surprise and we will wait to reserve judgement and evaluate his performance in due course. .  

The DA is satisfied that Firoz Cachalia has been axed as the MEC for Economic Development as he refused to be held to account by the legislature, and many questions posed by the DA have remained unanswered for almost a year. It is disappointing that both Cachalia and Lekgoro have simply been redeployed into the Premier's office in typical ANC cadre deployment style, joining the ranks of Ignatius Jacobs, former MEC who was not returned to public office, but also redeployed.

We have our doubts on whether Ntombi Mekgwe will be able to adequately perform as MEC for Health and Social Development due to her poor track record as Mayor of Ekurhuleni, leaving the Metro in a dire and dysfunctional financial situation.

It is apparent that Humhrey Memezi (Deputy secretary), Ntombi Mekgwe (Treasurer)  and Lebogang Maile (Youth League chair) have been deployed as MECs due to their positions as political office bearers on the ANCs provincial executive council, to ensure that the Premier toes the line.

Surprisingly enough no current Chairpersons of Committees were deemed fit to become MEC's.  

Statement issued by John Moodey, MPL, Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, November 2 2010

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