POLITICS

NWest cabinet reshuffle a gear shift for faster delivery - Thandi Modise

Premier says Chris Hattingh's criticisms are a desperate attempt to distort and exaggerate

Cabinet reshuffle a gear shift for faster delivery - North West Premier Thandi Modise

2 Jul 2013

The strides that the provincial government will make in the coming months will show its resolve to shift gear for faster delivery, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in dismissing criticism levelled by Provincial Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader Chris Hattingh against the cabinet reshuffle announced last week. 

Hattingh's criticisms are a desperate attempt to distort and exaggerate the reasons that necessitated the changes in the Executive Council (Exco), the North West Provincial Government said in a statement issued on Monday.

In reaction to the criticisms, Premier Modise said that though it was expected that Hattingh would as a reactionary who opposes everything for the sake of opposing, the extent to which he stoops low for political mileage is pathetic.

"Political expediency and driving a wedge among ruling party members matter more to Hattingh than good governance and service delivery hence he is dead silent while we wage war against corruption syndicates. The people of our province do not have short memories and are not ignorant of the challenges we are facing as Hattingh thinks they do.

They and not Hattingh will hold us accountable to our commitment that where public funds are found to have been misappropriated, steps would be taken to recoup every cent." emphasised Modise.

She said that eliminating hang ups that the DA wanted unresolved for it to use as ammunition in the coming elections has frustrated Hattingh's party hence it is clutching for straws and targeting Exco members with speculative and untested allegations to remain relevant.

Premier Modise reiterated that the appointment of three new members to the Executive Council should not be misinterpreted to suggest that the recalled members were found guilty of any wrongdoing as matters they were allegedly involved in have not been concluded.

She stressed that all of them executed their tasks with distinction and that none of the allegations against them have been proved or disproved.

Statement issued by Lesiba Moses Kgwele, North West Office of the Premier, July 2 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter