The ANC will unveil the new Eastern Cape provincial cabinet at lunchtime tomorrow with the major focus on who will take over Housing and Local Government from Thoko Xasa and whether these two departments will be split.
New premier Mbulelo Sogoni acknowledged earlier today that the possibility of creating separate departments was under consideration and the name of outspoken the former mayor of Buffalo City Lulamile Nazo has emerged as a contender for Local Government.
That would leave Housing with which ANC provincial chairman Stone Sizani who was MEC for Education between 1999 and 2002 and the former CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation Mcebisi Jonas have been linked.
Nazo has also been named as a possible deputy-speaker, succeeding Gloria Barry who is tipped to take over Roads and Transport from Thobile Mhlahlo.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sogoni speaks
Here he is. The first picture of Mbulelo Sogoni after his swearing-in as the fourth premier of the Eastern Cape, speaking to reporters outside the Good News Centre in Bhisho.
New premier makes big promises
New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni was sworn in this morning as the province’s fourth premier outlining a broad plan for the next eight months leading up to the election and saying the new cabinet will have until the end of August to realign their budgets with his priorities.
Sogoni said there would be “zero-tolerance” of failures in service delivery specifically in the areas of schools, hospitals and clinics, adding that the performance contracts of all heads of department would be reviewed in the light of what would be required.
Among the priorities Sogoni spelled out were the timeous delivery of stationery and text books; eradication of mud schools; providing support to improve the public health system, and drive the delivery of housing.
Sogoni said another priority would be to persuade FIFA to change the decision to take the Confederations Cup games away from Port Elizabeth.
Sogoni said there would be “zero-tolerance” of failures in service delivery specifically in the areas of schools, hospitals and clinics, adding that the performance contracts of all heads of department would be reviewed in the light of what would be required.
Among the priorities Sogoni spelled out were the timeous delivery of stationery and text books; eradication of mud schools; providing support to improve the public health system, and drive the delivery of housing.
Sogoni said another priority would be to persuade FIFA to change the decision to take the Confederations Cup games away from Port Elizabeth.
Hurry up and wait ...
A 10am swearing in of new Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni is one thing that is not going to happen.
At 9.58 there was indication of when proceedings would start although outgoing Premier Nosimo Balindlela arrived a few moments ago and took up the seat she has occupied for the last four years - and the next few minutes.
Balindlela did not attend this morning’s ANC caucus and has announced her resignation as a member of the Legislature. She will, however, remain as a member of the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee of the ANC.
At 9.58 there was indication of when proceedings would start although outgoing Premier Nosimo Balindlela arrived a few moments ago and took up the seat she has occupied for the last four years - and the next few minutes.
Balindlela did not attend this morning’s ANC caucus and has announced her resignation as a member of the Legislature. She will, however, remain as a member of the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee of the ANC.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pillay report: Questions remain
Pillay yet again.
For reasons best known to somebody in the Legislature it was decided not to distribute Chapter 2 of the Pillay Commission report, authored by Judge Ronnie Pillay (pictured), that interestingly enough is dated December 1 2006 the first pages of which were leaked to the media and contain allegations to which those accused have not had the opportunity to reply.
That has now been rectified.
No explanation has yet been provided, however, as to why the Premier sat on the report for some 18 months and the question being asked is whether it was not being held back as “dry powder” for use at the right moment.
The ad hoc committee examining the report and that is considering among other things whether the commission complied with its mandate has requested an extension of time to complete its deliberations.
Committee chairman Phumulo Masualle says information is still waited from departments and he has now been given to August 26 to report when the Legislature is scheduled to sit again.
For reasons best known to somebody in the Legislature it was decided not to distribute Chapter 2 of the Pillay Commission report, authored by Judge Ronnie Pillay (pictured), that interestingly enough is dated December 1 2006 the first pages of which were leaked to the media and contain allegations to which those accused have not had the opportunity to reply.
That has now been rectified.
No explanation has yet been provided, however, as to why the Premier sat on the report for some 18 months and the question being asked is whether it was not being held back as “dry powder” for use at the right moment.
The ad hoc committee examining the report and that is considering among other things whether the commission complied with its mandate has requested an extension of time to complete its deliberations.
Committee chairman Phumulo Masualle says information is still waited from departments and he has now been given to August 26 to report when the Legislature is scheduled to sit again.
Computer error: The Blobster's on the case
Anyone remember the saga of the missing computers in the Ndlambe municipality (Port Alfred) when the municipal manager admitted that he “made a mistake” when he signed for 39 laptops worth R400 000, without checking whether they had actually arrived?
The DA’s Bobby Stevenson – affectionately dubbed “the blobster" by former DA leader Tony Leon - has not and has asked a question for oral reply this afternoon and to what progress has been made with the investigation.
Stevenson wants to know whether any disciplinary action has been taken or criminal charges laid and whether any steps have been taken to recover the money.
Ndlambe, however, needed not feel alone because Stevenson has unearthed the fact that six computers went missing in the Koukamma local municipality. These were not new computers they just held vital information such as salaries and details of municipal accounts.
The DA’s Bobby Stevenson – affectionately dubbed “the blobster" by former DA leader Tony Leon - has not and has asked a question for oral reply this afternoon and to what progress has been made with the investigation.
Stevenson wants to know whether any disciplinary action has been taken or criminal charges laid and whether any steps have been taken to recover the money.
Ndlambe, however, needed not feel alone because Stevenson has unearthed the fact that six computers went missing in the Koukamma local municipality. These were not new computers they just held vital information such as salaries and details of municipal accounts.
Bhisho's apartheid legacy lingers
Shades of the past ... the parade ground and dias in front of the Legislature from where Ciskei President Lennox Sebe reviewed his troops.
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