The cabinet reshuffling bug has bitten Mpumalanga following the changes made by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and President Jacob Zuma in their cabinets early this week.
Mpumalanga Premier David "DD" Mabuza yesterday wielded the axe on Minister of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Jabu Mahlangu, and on Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration Meshack Malinga.
He replaced Mahlangu with Norman Mokoena, who previously had the co-operative governance and traditional affairs portfolio.
Malinga was replaced by newcomer Candice Mashigo Dlamini.
MECs Pinky Phosa (finance), Clifford Mkasi (public works, roads and transport), Regina Mhaule (education) and Dikeledi Mahlangu (health and social development) managed to evade the axe.
The MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Vusi Shongwe, and his safety and security counterpart, Sibongile Manana, swapped positions.
Mabuza moved human settlements MEC Madala Masuku to the co-operative governance portfolio. His replacement is Siphosezwe Masango.
Mabuza's spokesman, Mabutho Sithole, said there was nothing sinister about the reshuffling, calling it a "performance assessment of the departments".
The DA leader in the Mpumalanga legislature, Anthony Benadie, said the axing of Mahlangu and Malinga was unfortunate.
"They were the two best performers in the cabinet," he said.
The Daily Dispatch, in East London, has been told that a cabinet reshuffle in the Eastern Cape legislature is "a foregone conclusion".