Mpumalanga Health Department does the Shuffle MyZA

Mbombela – Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has reshuffled his cabinet to allow a professional doctor to head the provincial Health and Social Development Department.

Mabuza swapped Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC, Dr Clifford Mkasi, with Health and Social Development MEC, Dikeledi Mahlangu, on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Mabuza said the reshuffle was based on an assessment of the MECs in the province.

“After doing an analysis, I’ve decided to make a few changes in my cabinet,” said Mabuza.

He said that during the next provincial lekgotla, another assessment would be done to see if any more changes were needed in his cabinet.

Last November, Mabuza reshuffled his cabinet, which resulted in two members of his executive committee being removed, while several swapped departments.

The MECs who lost their jobs are Jabu Mahlangu, who formerly headed the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, and Meshack Malinga, who formerly headed the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration.

They were replaced by Candith Mashigo-Dlamini and Siphosezwe Masango, respectively.

The members of the executive committee are:

Pinkie Phosa: MEC for Finance
Norman Mokoena: MEC for Economic Development and Planning
Dikeledi Mahlangu: MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport
Regina Mhaule: MEC for Education
Madala Masuku: MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Siphosezwe Masango: MEC for Human Settlements
Candith-Mashego-Dlamini: MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration
Clifford Mkasi: MEC for Health and Social Development
Vusi Shongwe: MEC for Safety, Security and Community Liaison
Sibongile Manana: MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation

In 2009, ANC legislature member William Lubisi replaced former legislature speaker Jackson Mthembu, who became the ANC’s national spokesperson in October that year.

Lubisi served as Health MEC under former Premier Thabang Makwetla, but was dropped when Makwetla reshuffled his cabinet in January last year. – Mandla Khoza, BuaNews