This was announced yesterday by the spokesperson of the provincial Premier Job Mokgoro’s office, Vuyisile Ngesi. These four, namely Dr Magome Masike of Health, Manketse Tlhape of Agriculture, Mmule Maluleke of Public Works, and Hoffman Galeng of Social Development, were given the boot. 

This comes after the ANC’s Provincial Task Team (PTT) in the province had a meeting on Monday, calling for a reshuffle and gave Mokgoro 48 hours to do this. In an earlier interview with OFM News, PTT spokesperson, Kabelo Mataboge, said these sackings, which include six mayors implicated in the VBS saga and allegations of unethical governance, are a bid by the party to restore public confidence in the party in the province which was riddled with corruption during former premier Supra Mahumapelo’s tenure.

Among this group is Galeng, who recently made headlines for having the social development department pay about R50 000 a month on security at his home. 

Another MEC fired among these was Tlhape, who used to head the agriculture department and made headlines after she gifted former president Jacob Zuma with R1,5 million worth of cattle as a gift. 

Meanwhile, Masike’s department has been enshrouded with several allegations of corruption, which include, amongst others, the Gupta company Mediosa, that allegedly received a R30 million upfront payment in 2017 for mobile clinics before they even arrived. 

Maluleke, who headed the public works department, recently came under scrutiny after the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) decided to investigate her department and its senior officials for corruption after it was found that 150 companies were allegedly awarded tenders irregularly.

Masike will now be replaced by Madoda Sambatha as the Health MEC, while Maluleke will be replaced by Oageng Molapisi as the MEC for Public Works and Roads. Replacing Tlhape as the MEC of Agriculture will be Desebo Mohono and finally, Galeng of social development will be replaced by Fennyh Gaolaolwe.

OFM News