As part of government efforts to “advance and expedite service delivery”, Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane announcement a Provincial Cabinet reshuffle on Friday.

Returning to Mtsweni-Tsipane’s Cabinet is former MEC for Agriculture Mandla Msibi, who has been reinstated as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

Msibi has been accused of murder, but the charges against him were conditionally withdrawn at the High Court due to information that is currently pending.

Mandla Ndlovu, who is replaced by Msibi, is the new MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport. He replaces Mohita Latchminarain.

Addressing the media in Mbombela, Mtsweni-Tsipane defended her decision to bring Msibi back.

“You will recall that MEC Msibi stepped aside after charges of serious nature were labelled against him. Such charges have since been withdrawn and his decision to step aside proves that he believes in clean governance and served as an example of all leaders who find themselves in the same position. I have no doubt that MEC Msibi will put on an impetus in our efforts as government to help municipalities deliver on their service delivery mandates,” she said.

Meanwhile, the new MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism is Mpumi Hlophe, who replaces Vusi Mkhatshwa.

Mtsweni-Tsipane said Hlophe’s appointment forms part of efforts to bring in new and fresh-thinking in government while also balancing the notion of gender equity.

“Honourable Hlophe is a veteran in government affairs having served as the chairperson of committees at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. She has also held a number of positions in her political career including the [African National Congress] Youth League, the [African National Congress] Women’s League and currently serves as the member of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ruling party,” she said.

The Premier further stated that the Cabinet reshuffle was aimed at accelerating service delivery to meet the needs of the people in the province.

“These changes to the composition of the Provincial Cabinet are necessitated by our desire to attain the targets we had set for this Medium Term Strategic Framework, whilst accelerating the implementation of our economic reconstruction and recovery plan and the overall implementation of the key deliverables as set out in the National Development Plan, as well as the Mpumalanga Development Plan,” she said.

She thanked Latchminarain and Mkhatshwa for their contributions and said the experiences they garnered as MECs would carry them through in their future endeavours.

“I welcome the MECs in their new positions and sincerely hope that they will do their best by infusing new energy that is required to uplift the performance in their respective departments. Our people are yearning for the kind of leadership that is inspiring, that is uplifting, with an ability to bring positive change, influence and motivate management towards success. We cannot afford to fail those who elected us and gave us a mandated to serve them,” she said.