Wednesday | December 2, 2020

Hardly two months after firing Dr. Bandile Masuku, Gauteng Province has its new MEC for Health. Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi has been appointed to replace Dr. Masuku, Premier David Makhura made the announcement on Wednesday.

Dr. Bandile Masuku, who previously held the MEC position, was axed in October 2020 after an entanglement in personal protection equipment (PPE) contracts.

Until today, MEC for Public Transport and Road Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo was acting on this portfolio since June when Dr. Masuku was initially suspended.

Makhura’s decision to sack the MEC for Health in October was based on a preliminary report compiled by Special Investigating Unit which found that he violated the Constitution and PFMA (Public Finance Management Act) controls. In the intervening period, he [Dr. Masuku) is seeking to reverse his dismissal by the provincial department.

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Parks Tau will take up the Economic Development portfolio in Gauteng. This position was held by Morakane Mosupyoe who has now been deployed to the Social Development MEC post left vacant by Dr. Mokgethi’s move to the Gauteng Health Department.

But for Tau to be sworn in as MEC in Gauteng, one member of parliament must resign to make way for him. Tau is not a stranger in the Gauteng government. He was the mayor of the City of Johannesburg in the 2011 to 2016 period.

The Premier of Gauteng said Dr. Mokgethi comes with 27 years of experience. In June when she appointed the MEC for Social Development, the Gauteng statement said:

“she served as a municipal manager in three different municipalities. Dr. Mokgethi holds an MA in Nursing Science and a Doctorate in Literature and Philosophy from the University of South Africa (UNISA).