MBOMBELA – Ever since he took to office, MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, Mr Eric Kholwane, has vowed not to tolerate any form of incompetence in his department.

Last week, during the announcement of the interim board of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), Kholwane reiterated he would not hesitate to remove any of the members should they not comply with the requirements to improve economic growth in the province.

“We are not going to tolerate anything negative and all the members are aware that our mandate is to reduce poverty. They must help us to move the country and province forward,” he stated.

The appointment of the board came after the previous board was disbanded in September last year, in terms of Section 7(4) of the MEGA Act of 2010 which stipulates that ” the member of the executive council may, in the event of all positions on the board being vacant, temporary members to constitute an interim board until such vacancies have been filled”.

The Act further indicates that such an appointment should not exceed a period of six months.

“The board will be active for six months, but I’m not obliged to keep them in office if they do not perform their duties. I will not hesitate to remove any one of them if they are just lazing around,” he added.

However, he said he was confident that the board would function properly, stating all the vacancies were filled with competent candidates. “I can further confirm that all these members of the Interim Board duly comply with the requirements as set out in the MEGA Act,” he concluded.

The board members are Mr Siyabonga Mahlangu (chairperson), Mr Davies Mculu (deputy chairperson), Ms Gaylene Deiner, Mr Ivor Jenkins, Ms Nomasonto Phakathi, Mr Mallele Petje, Mr Fana Mlombo, Ms Nora Fakude-Nkuna, Mr Blessing Skosana and Mr Dan Moagi.