New Gauteng MECs will strengthen capacity of govt - Makhura

Nandi Mayathula-Khoza has been appointed as the MEC for social development as one of three changes announced by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, on Tuesday evening.

"We assess the performance of government on an ongoing basis and we have now come to the determination that we need to make a few changes in the executive council," Makhura said.

The changes were aimed at strengthening "the capacity of government to implement the programme for the implimentation of the transformation, modernisation and re-industrialisation of Gauteng."

Along with Mayathula-Khoza, Jacob Mamabolo will move to the department of infrastructure development while Paul Mashatile will take over the portfolio of human settlements, cooperative government, and traditional affairs.

Makhura said he intends to appoint Mashatile as MEC once he has been sworn in as a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature.

On Mayathula-Khoza's new position, Makhura said that she was not new to the portfolio having been responsible for social development during her term as MEC for agriculture.

Makhura said that Mamabolo has extensive public service and leadership experience having been part of the Home Affairs turn-around strategy.

Mashatile has had quite a few portfolios, including safety and security, transport, housing, finance and economic affairs, as well as serving as Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister of Arts and Culture.

Mashatile will resign as a member of the national Parliament in the next two days to take up a position in the Gauteng provincial legislature.

The new council will also meet in the coming days to assess the implementation  of their re-industrialisation programme in preparation for the state of the province address.

Makhura added that they would spend time during the executive council lekgotla to reflect on the economy and to discuss ways in which they can turn around the economy in Gauteng.

"Recently I met with various experts during our economic development workshop where we discussed ways of revitalising the economy."

When asked about the issue of e-tolls, Makhura said that there will be an announcement on the matter at the state of the province address.

With regards to former sports MEC Molebatsi Bopape, Makhura said that the current investigation into allegations of improper interference in tender allocations was still underway and would have to take its course.

Source News 24