Ramathuba’s new local government pick has never passed an audit

By Nkhensani Mthombeni

• The DA says Premier Ramathuba’s Limpopo reshuffle serves ANC interests, not residents, pointing to new MEC Pule Shayi’s audit record.

• Analyst Zakes Moabelo says the reshuffle strengthens Ramathuba’s grip on the ANC, and predicts several more changes are still coming.

Limpopo’s new MEC for local government oversight has never delivered a clean audit of his own.

On Wednesday, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba swore in three new MECs. Pule Shayi now leads CoGHSTA, which oversees municipalities across the province. Eddie Maila takes over Health, and Constance Kupa-Mabuza takes Sports, Arts and Culture.

Shayi replaces Basikopo Makamu, who moves to Agriculture. Maila replaces Dieketseng Mashego, who lost her seat on the ANC’s provincial executive committee in April. Kupa-Mabuza replaces Jerry Maseko.

Maila and Shayi both sit among the ANC’s top five leaders in the province, as treasurer and deputy secretary.

The DA’s provincial leader, Jacques Smalle, says the reshuffle serves the ANC, not the public.

“ANC office is not a qualification for provincial office. If appointments instead follow the outcome of an ANC elective conference, then party interests have been placed ahead of the public interest,” he said.

Smalle pointed to Shayi’s five years as Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality, which had two disclaimers and three qualified audits, and never a clean one.

In July, National Treasury froze equitable share payments to about 70 municipalities nationwide, including R300 million meant for Mopani, later released.

Political analyst Zakes Moabelo believes the reshuffle is about Ramathuba strengthening her grip on the ANC, and predicts more changes ahead.

“I was expecting the Executive Mayor of Polokwane City, John Mpe, to be among the new MECs, because he is the Deputy Chair of the ANC in the province,” he said.

Ramathuba told the new MECs to focus on delivering services.

“Our people want services, they are tired of slogans. Work hard in order to avoid another reshuffle,” she said.

She said she had already met the outgoing MECs, who will get new portfolios.

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