The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, reshuffled his cabinet and fired two MECs on Tuesday, July 15.

He removed the MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, and the MEC for economic development and tourism, Makhosazane Masilela.

He also announced the termination of Godfrey Ntombela’s contract as the head of the Department for Culture, Sports and Recreation with immediate effect.

He appointed the former Ehlanzeni executive mayor, Jesta Sidell, as the new MEC for economic development and tourism. Lindi Masina, the speaker of the Provincial Legislature, was appointed as the new education MEC. They are expected to start their duties with immediate effect after being sworn in by Deputy Judge President Takalani Vincent Ratshibvumo.

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“The removal of Dlamini and Masilela comes after the provincial government had made several assessments across the departments and realised we needed to make certain changes. This is aimed at strengthening the work of government to address service delivery as well as a number of other challenges that impede us from reaching the targets set for this administration,” Ndlovu said.

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He also said when he took over the office he had made a promise to the people of Mpumalanga that he wanted to lead a government that would deliver to the people of this province and he is determined to do that.

Regarding Ntombela’s termination, Ndlovu said: “It has also come to my attention that fraud has been committed, whereby former premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s electronic signature was used for the extension of Ntombela’s contract. There is also an alleged payment of R80 000, exchanged for the misuse of the former premier’s electronic signature. This matter is viewed in a very serious light. As a result I have consulted the acting provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, to investigate the matter.”