Selby Makgotho

Selby Makgotho

Opposition parties in Limpopo yesterday praised premier Sello Moloto for having "the guts" to fire two of his MECs, describing them as incompetent.

Moloto yesterday axed Stan Motimele, Roads and Transport MEC, and Joe Maswanganyi, Sports, Arts and Culture MEC.

Motimele, who was apparently misled by his head of department, Ben Mehale, could not account for R25,5 million irregularly used by his department.

Maswanganyi was found to have failed politically and financially to run two departments.

The United Independent Front congratulated Moloto "for having the guts to heed the clarion call by firing Motimele", party president, Ike Kekana said yesterday.

Kekana said he hoped the new appointments would not be used for the reversal of the democratic gains.

"The fact that two members of the standing committee on public accounts have been sworn in as MECs is obviously a loss.

"However, we hope this is not another way of bringing in a 'ja baas' (yes boss) approach through the back door to the committee," he said.

Mike Holford of the Democratic Alliance also welcomed Moloto's decision, saying it was long overdue.

"We congratulate Moloto for fighting incompetence in his administration," Holford said.

Azapo gave Moloto a thumbs-up, saying the premier should be supported for showing disapproval of MECs involved in the worst kind of misappropriation of public funds in Limpopo.

"We hope other premiers will also act the same way against their offending officials," Azapo said in a statement.

The party said the next urgent step would be the speedy recovery of the R25,5million from Mehale before he dissipated his assets.