Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

matlalaa@sowetan.co.za

THE ANC's recent lifting of the moratorium on the appointment of senior officials in crucial positions of government has been received with mixed feelings by Limpopo residents.

The ANC put the appointment of senior government officials on hold for Limpopo's top jobs during its provincial conference at the University of Venda last year.

This was after then ANC provincial chairperson and premier Sello Moloto lost his bid for the chairmanship to current Premier Cassel Mathale.

The move was especially criticised by Moloto's allies, who thought the moratorium was aimed at making Moloto powerless.

ANC provincial secretary Joe Maswanganyi said the decision to lift the moratorium was taken during a PEC meeting in order to speed up the rate of service delivery to communities.

Maswanganyi said the new government would rather concentrate on appointing professionals with scarce skills, such as doctors, engineers and nurses, who are the actual working tools, than managers, directors and chief directors.

But the moratorium was criticised by some people who said it hampered service delivery in their areas.

Kgauelo Mokgwathi, chairperson of the Edwin Mikwape Malatji branch of the ANC in Ga-Motupa in the Tzaneen area, said the lifting came at an opportune time since services were in dire need of it.

Brenda Sekgolomela of Sekgakgapeng in Mokopane, said basic services such as re-graveling of roads, water supply and construction of bridges in their area were slow because the authorities claimed there was not enough manpower and money.