Education dept deluged by court action

SOME 171 new civil actions were instituted in the last financial year against the Eastern Cape education department, 59 of them related to similar applications brought by 59 suppliers for the School Nutrition Programmer whose tenders were cancelled in 2004.

The 59 cases are all claims for a loss of profits and some are for amounts as high as R3 million.

Other cases involve the expulsion of pupils from Queens College, the filling of the post of principal at Sydenham Primary and even one involving a pupil who was appointed as a prefect and then demoted.

Replying to a written question from Donald Smiles (DA) Education MEC Johnny Makgato says that most of the applications were still pending and one had been decided in favour of the department. He added that there had been no civil actions instituted connected to irregularities relating to the appointment of officials to senior positions.

New Premier takes the helm on Thursday

New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni (right, with his predecessor Nosimo Balindlela) will be sworn in at the Legislature on Thursday, the ANC confirmed today.

The new cabinet will be announced on Friday afternoon and there is still discussion on who will
take the Housing and Local Government portfolio currently held by Thoko Xasa.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) is to meet on Friday morning to finalise the matter that will see Finance MEC Billy Nel who was informed yesterday that he is to be axed replaced by Phumulo Masualle who will also succeed Sogoni as MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.

Health MEC Nomsa Jajula will be replaced by Pemmy Majodina while Education MEC Johnny Makgato will make way for Mahlubandile Qwase.

• Full report in The Herald tomorrow

D-Day for Balindlela

Three Eastern Cape MECs will be axed along with Premier Nosimo Balindlela as part of a provincial cabinet reshuffle that will see Mbulelo Sogoni, currently MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs elected as the province’s fourth premier.

Out will go Education MEC Johnny Makgato his Finance colleague MEC Billy Nel as well as Health MEC Nomsa Jajula as part of efforts to speed up delivery and development in the province.

Alliance partners, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party remain opposed to the election of Sogoni and tough negotiations are continuing. They may, however, have to be satisfied with appointments to key portfolios for which they have already submitted proposals as part of a comprehensive agreement.

Full story on who is likely to be in the next provincial cabinet in Thursday’s edition of The Herald.