By Doreen Mokgolo
Gauteng province has a new executive council.
On Wednesday night Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced his provincial cabinet. It is composed of 10 MECs – seven from the ANC, and three from RiseMzansi, the PA and the IFP.
Lesufi’s announcement comes after weeks of back and forth tussles over executive positions between the DA and the ANC. The DA announced on Wednesday afternoon that they were pulling out of the negotiations after both parties failed to compromise on their demands.
The DA demanded that the 10 seats should be shared proportionally, according to the share of the vote each party received, while the ANC only offered them three.
During the announcement of the new cabinet Lesufi said they had invited and met all parties to be part of the Provincial Government of Unity.
“Our intention was to ensure that no one would be left behind unless they chose to.
“We leave others behind because of political circumstances but our door remains open and those who want to join us can come through.”
Lesufi said the new cabinet’s mandate is to eliminate crime, corruption and lawlessness.
The responsibility to fight crime has been allocated to the premier’s office.
“We can’t surrender our province to criminals and we can’t be scared of our own shadows or convert our homes into prisons because criminals are doing as they wish.
“We will use technology, innovation and an increase of personnel to fight crime head-on,” he said.
The cabinet members were sworn in by Judge Lebogang Modiba immediately after Lesufi made the announcement.
The MECs in the seventh administration are:
Bonginkosi Dlamini – MEC of E-Government (IFP)
Faith Mazibuko – Social Development (ANC)
Jacob Mamabolo – Infrastructure Development and Cogta (ANC)
Lebogang Maile – Economic Development (ANC)
Matome Chiloane – Education (ANC) [Added to portfolio: sports, recreation, arts and culture]
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko – Health (ANC)
Kedibone Diale-Tlabela – Transport (ANC)
Tasneem Motara – Human Settlement (ANC)
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa – Rural Development (RiseMzansi)
Sheila Peters – Environment (PA)
As it stands the DA occupies the position of deputy speaker in the provincial cabinet.
Pictured above: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lusufi.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
