Kamini Padayachee
HUMAN Settlements and Public Works MEC Maggie Govender and Environmental Affairs and Agriculture MEC Lydia Johnson might have been axed to appease those within the ANC who had criti-cised them for non-performance, University of KwaZulu-Natal senior political science lecturer Zakhele Ndlovu said yesterday.
Johnson and Govender were dismissed yesterday after spending just over two years in their posts.
Ndlovu said the two had not been popular with the ANC rank and file.
“It seems to be a case of internal politics playing itself out, with the party deciding that the two could be sacrificed without causing major problems. This move was probably to appease those who had called for their removal.”
Earlier this year, the ANC Youth League’s provincial leadership called for Johnson, Govender and Social Development MEC Meshack Radebe to be removed. It said the three had failed in their duties.
Ndlovu said it would be harsh if Govender’s removal had been based on non-performance because she had inherited problematic portfolios.
“There were a lot of problems in both departments when she took over. She had to fix things before she could move forward… Therefore I think it would have been wrong to punish her for non-performance.”
In January, Govender also came under fire from the SACP, Cosatu and the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement after the Human Settlements Department lost R200 million in grants from the national government because it could not spend the money.
The department also had to fork out about R609 000 in legal fees in the 2010/11 financial year after building contractors took Govender to court over the non-payment. In total, the department had to defend 38 cases.
A prominent litigant among the contractors was construction company boss and Umvoti mayor Philani Mavundla, the owner of PG Mavundla Projects CC, who accused Govender of victimising him and other black contractors and killing their businesses.
Desmond D’Sa, of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, said Johnson’s axing was “disappointing”.
D’Sa said Johnson had taken decisive action to bring the Engen refinery in Durban to order. Earlier this month, Johnson handed over a notice to Engen, compelling it to produce a report on a fire which had broken out there last month, as well as a plan of action to stop future fires, or face criminal charges.
“She acted in the interests of the community, which no other government official has done; she was a breath of fresh of air. It is sad to hear that she has been removed so soon after she took strong action against Engen.”
Robin Barnsley, president of the agricultural union Kwanalu, said the organisation had had little interaction with Johnson.
“We did not have much to do with her. However, the difficulties in that department relate to its deficient strategy rather than to the individual in charge. The department does not fully understand the needs of commercial and small-scale farmers and the challenges they face.”
