MBOMBELA – A relatively unknown politician from Mpumalanga has been named the new minister of state security.
Mr David Mahlobo, the former provincial HOD of cooperative governance and traditional affairs was named the minister by president Mr Jacob Zuma on Sunday night.
Mahlobo was elected to the national executive committee of the ANC at its Mangaung Policy Conference in 2012. He also previously served as a deputy regional secretary. He replaces Mr Siyabonga Cwele who was named minister of the ministry of telecommunications and postal services.
In terms of the Protection of State Information Bill, which has been dubbed the Secrecy Bill and is widely regarded as a threat to media freedom, it is the minister of state security who holds the power to classify information as confidential or top secret. He will also have the authority to grant the power to classify documents to any organ of state except municipalities once the president signs it into law.
Two former members of the provincial executive council were also named deputy ministers. Mr Madala Masuku served as MEC for finance in Mpumalanga until the elections when he was elected to parliament. Zuma named him the deputy minister of economic development. He will serve under returning minister, Mr Ebrahim Patel.
Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini was also named one of the two deputy ministers of rural development and land reform. She previously served as Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture and most recently as MEC for health and social development, taking over from Dr Clifford Mkazi in 2012.
Other former members of the provincial executive sworn in as members of parliament (MP) were Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu, former MEC for public works, Ms Sibongile Manana, former MEC for sport and recreation, and Ms Pinky Phosa, former MEC for economic development.
A former MEC for human settlements, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, was also sworn in as an MP. He is facing assault charges in Barberton along with two bodyguards.
Mpumalanga premier-elect Mr David Mabuza will be inaugurated on Thursday. He is expected to announce his new cabinet this week.
