Lesufi makes bold promises as he announces new Gauteng MECs

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi made bold promises as he announced members of the Executive Council on Friday. Here are the new MECs..

Oct 7, 2022 - 18:07
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Lesufi makes bold promises as he announces new Gauteng MECs

Newly elected Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi has announced new members of the Executive Council (MECs). 

Lesufi made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday, 7 October in Midrand where the new MECs were sworn in. The new Premier said his main focus is on improving the lives of people in the province and budgets will be prioritised for hostels, townships and informal settlements. 

HERE ARE THE NEW GAUTENG MECs

  • Health and Wellness –  Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
  • Economic Development and Tourism – Tasneem Motara 
  • Community Safety – Faith Mazibuko
  • Transport and Logistics – Kedibone Diale-Rabela
  • Education – Matome Chiloane 
  • COGTA – Mzi Khumalo
  • Human Settlements and Infrastructure – Lebogang Maile 
  • Finance – Jacob Mamabolo 
  • Sport and Recreation – Morakane Mosupye
  • Social Development – Mbali Hlophe

Lesufi said the Transport and Logistics MEC’s task is simple, it is to ensure that e-tolls are scrapped. 

Since its introduction in December 2013, the payment of e-tolls for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) has been a contentious issue with many motorists in the province refusing to pay. A number of petitions to get rid of the system have been launched by various political parties and civil rights movements and organisations.

Government is expected to make an announcement on the way forward for e-tolls in Gauteng during Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in late October.

SOME OF THE CHANGES LESUFI MADE

  • The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has been removed under the Department of Human Settlements to solely focus on ensuring the stability of coalition governments.
  • Logistics has been added to the Department of Transport.
  • The Department of Health is now known as Health and Wellness .
  • Lastly, Infrastructure has been added to the Department of Human Settlements.
  • Only two people were added as MEC’s while seven others reshuffled.

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