It’s alleged that former MEC Mmoloki Cwaile opposed Mokgoro with regards to two contacts worth R122 million, including the contract extension of a certain Head of a Department (HOD), amongst others. 

This, as calls for Mokgoro to divulge reasons why he fired Cwaile continue to grow. The Public Servants Association’s (PSA) Dickson Makolomakwa says the lack of communication on decisions and reasons therefore by the department is of concern and he wants the former premier to shed light on reasons for Cwaile’s dismissal to end continued media speculation. 

However, the provincial government spokesperson, Brain Setswambung, tells OFM News that the allegations is nothing but rumour-mongering.

“Premier Job Mokgoro has dismissed those allegations as rumour-mongering that is ill-informed. He has emphasised that the removal of members of the executive remains the prerogative of a premier, in line with the constitutional provisions and therefore he exercised that prerogative based on his own assessment of individual members of the executive,” he adds.

Mokgoro first placed Cwaile on special leave without providing reasons, and Cwaile defied his directive and stated that, contrary to what was communicated through the media, he was not on special leave and continued to carry out his duties as the MEC. Next thing, Cwaile announced his resignation but later, according to Mokgoro’s statement, showed that the MEC, in fact, was fired from his post a few months after he replaced former MEC Gordon Kegakilwe, who passed on due to Covid-19 complications in 2020.

Meanwhile, PSA’s Makolomakwa, in a statement, says that although it is the Premier’s prerogative to appoint members of the executive council, this provision should not be abused. “The PSA is concerned about the effect that instability has on staff morale and as a representative union of Coghsta employees, appeals to a Premier to exercise his discretion with care and to take the public in his confidence on such serious matters,” he further adds.

Mokgoro’s term in office as the premier has expired and he now only remains a member of the Provincial Legislature. He needs to resign to make way for the newly premier-elect, Bushy Maape, who was announced by the ANC's Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) this week.

OFM News