Ramathuba swings axe: 3 MECs out in Limpopo reshuffle
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has fired three MECs and brought Pule Shayi and Eddie Maila into her reconstituted Executive Council.
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has finally pulled the trigger on her long-awaited cabinet reshuffle, firing three MECs and bringing her new ANC top brass into government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Ramathuba announced the first reconstitution of her Executive Council since the start of the seventh administration in July 2024.
The new faces are newly sworn-in Members of the Legislature Pule Shayi and Eddie Maila, and former Ephraim Mogale Mayor Constance Kupa-Mabuza.
A dramatic morning
The reshuffle caps a dramatic morning that saw Limpopo wake up to the resignations of Mopani District Mayor Shayi and Fetakgomo-Tubatse Mayor Maila. Their resignation letters leaked on social media, and hours later both were sworn in as MPLs at a ceremony at the legislature.
The move has been on the cards since March, when both men emerged as part of Ramathuba’s new ANC provincial leadership at the elective conference at New Peter Mokaba Stadium – Shayi as deputy provincial secretary and Maila as provincial treasurer. Only secretary Reuben Madadzhe retained his position.
‘A rigorous assessment of performance’
According to the official statement, the reshuffle follows “a rigorous assessment of the performance of the Executive Council, conducted in response to the feedback and lived experiences of the residents of Limpopo.”
Ramathuba thanked those leaving, saying the decision was not taken lightly.
“Each member of the previous Executive Council has worked tirelessly to advance the ideals and goals of this administration… However, as a government, we must constantly evaluate our progress. There is always room for improvement,” she said.
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Who is out, who is in
The axe has fallen on three MECs who all failed to make it onto the new ANC Provincial Executive Committee, a key signal in ANC deployment culture where party seniority should match government responsibility.
| Portfolio | Out | In |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and Community Safety | Violet Mathye | Nakedi Kekana |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Funani Maseko | Constance Kupa-Mabuza |
| Health | Dieketseng Mashego | Eddie Maila |
| CoGHSTA | Basikopo Makamu (reshuffled) | Pule Shayi |
| Agriculture | Nakedi Kekana (reshuffled) | Basikopo Makamu |
The reconstituted Executive Council
- Agriculture and Rural Development: Basikopo Makamu
- Education: Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya
- Social Development: Florence Radzilani
- Transport and Community Safety: Nakedi Kekana [NEW]
- Economic Development, Environment and Tourism: Dr Tshitereke Matibe
- Finance: Kgabo Mahoai
- Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure: Ernest Rachoene
- Sport, Arts and Culture: Constance Kupa-Mabuza [NEW]
- CoGHSTA: Pule Shayi [NEW]
- Health: Eddie Maila [NEW]
The big question: What about John Mpe?
One big question remains: what about Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe?
He was elected ANC deputy chairperson, deputising Ramathuba at the same conference that elevated Shayi and Maila, remains a PEC member, but was not among those sworn in on Wednesday and still heads the municipality.
