The Northern Cape premier has announced a streamlined executive council reducing the number of MECs from nine to seven. 

The announcement was made on Thursday (27/6) at the office of the premier in Kimberley, where the members of the Free State executive council for the seventh administration were revealed.

It includes Maruping Lekwene as MEC for Health and Mase Manopole as MEC for Agriculture. Nontobeko Vilakazi will serve as MEC for Social Development, Sports, Arts, and Culture, while Venus Blennies has been named MEC for Economic Development and Tourism.

Fufe Makatong will take on the role of MEC for Roads and Public Works, Bentley Vass will oversee COGHSTA, Roads, and Transport, and Abraham Vosloo will replace Zolile Monakali as MEC for Education.

Zamani Saul, premier of the Northern Cape. Photo supplied

Premier Zamani Saul explained the rationale behind the restructuring: “What we did was take some departments and merge them into one. I’m certain most of you have examples of departments like Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism. Those are two departments with two accounting officers, but they account for one MEC.”

He emphasised the reduction in MECs was driven by the need to cut costs and streamline operations, particularly in light of the seats lost by his party in recent elections.

‘Critical departments would remain intact’

However, he assured the critical departments of Education, Health, and Roads and Public Works would remain intact to ensure the province can meet its commitment to delivering and accelerating quality services in these areas.

Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul, Judge President of the Northern Cape High Court Division, Judge Pule Tlaletsi and new MECs during swearing in ceremony, photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

The swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Members of the Executive Council by the Judge President of the Northern Cape High Court Division, Judge Pule Tlaletsi, took place this morning. He administered the oath of office and the MECs pledged to faithfully serve the people of the Free State and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi