Picture: The ANC deputy chairperson, Lazarus Mokgosi sworn-in as new North West MEC for Social Development/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said the newly-appointed North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi will have to prove his worth. Mokgosi was appointed as North West MEC for Social Development after the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi, fired Boitumelo Moiloa from the position yesterday.
The DA deputy provincial chairperson, Freddy Sonakile said, Mokgosi has been a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) for barely a year and would need to prove his worth as he takes over a department that has in recent months been fighting internal conflicts at the expense of residents, who desperately depend on the department’s social services to keep absolute poverty at bay.
“At a time where North West’s unemployment rate continues to surge and residents increasingly rely on the government’s R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, this department continues to be used as a political yoyo by ANC politicians.
“The DA approached the Public Protector to investigate and determine the legality of Premier Bushy Maape’s decision to place former MEC, Boitumelo Moiloa on special leave two months ago and indirectly placing the Department of Social Development under an unexplainable provincial administration,”he said.
Sonakile further said, unfortunately, for Mokgosi, there is no time for celebratory parties. He added that Mokgosi boarded a “Titanic” that was already facing waves.
“We will closely monitor how he deals with the mess and the mafias in the department and use every mechanism at our disposal to ensure that residents receive the social services they desperately need,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the ANC Chief Whip in the NWPL, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish Mokgosi well in the new area of responsibility. We are confident that he will stabilise the department and ensure that it focuses on its mandate to accelerate service delivery for the benefit of the most vulnerable within our communities.
“Mokgosi has played a pivotal role in fostering the unity of the ANC caucus in the provincial legislature and ensuring implementation of the resolutions of the ANC Caucus Lekgotla.”
Sebegoe said Mokgosi’s hands-on approach and commitment to serve gives them confidence that he will deal decisively with the challenges facing the department and steer it towards reclaiming its service delivery track record that will respond to the plight and aspirations of our communities.
He emphasised that Mokgosi brings to the department invaluable experience, skill and expertise that he has gained throughout over 35 years in the public service, leadership in the trade union as well as the ANC.
Sebegoe also expressed gratitude to Moiloa for the service she has rendered communities across the province during her tenure.
Meanwhile, the F4SD president, Dr Mbahare Kekana said they welcome the appointment of Mokgosi.
“Remember, that role has been vacant and is very central to the needs of our masses. However, we question the dual positions that are being held by Maloyi. We believe that he was supposed to appoint Mokgosi as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) because that’s where the problems are.
“As we speak, that portfolio remains severely neglected because most municipalities continue to receive disclaimers and other challenges. So, we expected Maloyi to fire himself as MEC for COGHSTA and appoint somebody capable, who could take the department forward,” Kekana said.
TaungDailyNews 