Reshuffle to Provincial Executive Council will not bring any service delivery improvements

The Democratic Alliance takes note of the changes to the Free State Executive Council announced today by the Premier, Mr Ace Magashule.

Mr. Magashule announced the following changes to the Executive Council:

Ms. Mamiki Qabathe will now be responsible for Economic Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs. (Ms. Qabathe has been serving as the MEC responsible for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement.)

Ms. Olly Mlamleli has been appointed as the MEC responsible for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement. (Ms. Mlamleli has been serving as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement in the Free State Legislature.)

These changes will not make any significant improvements to service delivery in the Free State Province. The changes are blatantly political in nature with the removal of a possible opponent in Mr. Mxolisi Dukwana and the inclusion of staunch Magashule-loyalist, Ms Olly Mlamleli

It appears that MEC Mamiki Qabathe, who was rumoured to be on her way out, managed to maintain her position in the executive council with a blatantly praise-singing speech during the State of the Province debate on Monday.

This will probably not be the last reshuffle of the provincial executive committee, prior to the ANC provincial congress in the Free State that is expected to take place later in the year. Premier Ace Magashule cannot expect to deliver on his last three State of the Province promises if he continues to surround himself with mediocrity.

Statement issued by Roy Jankielsohn, DA Leader in the Free State, February 23 2012

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