The DA in Mpumalanga notes the new executive council announced by Premier, Mandla Ndlovu.
The new cabinet will be appealing to the ANC’s alliance partners as it consists of members from the ANCYL, SACP and Cosatu.
While we command Ndlovu for including seasoned politicians in his cabinet who have the potential to change the lives of the Mpumalanga people, we oppose the reappointment of Sasekani Manzini in the health portfolio.
Our healthcare facilities are on a downward spiral. Therefore, retaining Manzini might completely collapse the health department.
It has also emerged that the Department of Human Settlements has been merged with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), with Speedy Mashilo appointed as the MEC.
In this regard, The DA expresses concern, in the previous administration Mashilo led the Department of Human Settlements and the housing backlog kept on widening as he failed to meet targets.
Therefore, adding CoGTA to Mashilo’s fold is illogical. This is one critical portfolio that needs excellent supervision and diligence, municipalities in the province are on the brink of collapsing.
In the Department of Education, we expect the new MEC Cathy Dlamini to hit the ground running. This comes after it surfaced that learning in some districts has been affected by protesting community members. We also call on Dlamini to urgently attend schools that cater for learners with disabilities.
We will keep holding the ANC administration accountable in Mpumalanga. We hope that the new executive council will prioritize the needs of the people.