Premier Sisi Ntombela has made three new appointments of Heads of Provincial Departments (HODs) with some key and notable figures, such as former Cooperative Governance (Cogta) HOD, Mokete Duma, not making the cut for the provincial cabinet. 

She has since appointed Masechaba Sesing to head the Provincial Treasury, Mosa Masitha to head Human Settlements, and Tshepiso Ramakarane to head Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). These appointments include two women and one male. Ntombela says the appointments of HODs at Police, Roads and Transport (PRT), Social Development, and Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) are currently being finalised.

OFM News in May reported that the Free State Provincial Government (FSGP) had only five permanently appointed HODs whilst six others only had acting contracts.

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In her appointments, Ntombela has seemingly avoided calls from the trade union, the National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), which previously called for the removal of the Health HOD, Godfrey Mahlatsi.

ALSO READ: Questions mounting over possible suspension of Health HOD

OFM News in February 2022 reported that Mahlatsi has been added as a suspect in an alleged tender fraud case worth R8 million. The alleged fraud dates back to when he was an accounting officer between 2014 and 2017.

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Ntombela says the appointments were made in terms of Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994.

Ntombela adds that she is hopeful that the appointments will assist the government in improving and speeding up the implementation of progressive policies and programmes, in its expedition to deal with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

The FSPG, despite the current economic challenges, remains committed and steadfast, to providing quality services to the people of the province, under the clarion call of Operation Phethisa, which was recently launched by the President, Ntombela adds.

OFM News