Manyi to take over as government spokesperson

LONG-TIME government spokesperson Themba Maseko is to be replaced by axed labour department director-general Jimmy Manyi.

Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane, announcing the appointment yesterday, said: "Maseko requested to be moved within government following his four-year tenure in GCIS (Government Communication and Information Systems) and Cabinet spokesperson."

Maseko will take up the post of director-general in the Public Service and Administration Department.

"Minister Chabane would like to, on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the cabinet and government, thank Maseko for his sterling contribution to the government communication system over the years."

The statement describes Manyi as the director-general of the Labour Department.

But it was reported in November last year that Manyi was axed by former labour minister Membathisi Mdladlana.

This was hours before Mdladlana himself was fired by President Jacob Zuma in a far-reaching cabinet reshuffle.

Mdladlana suspended Manyi in June 2010, reportedly after a complaint by a diplomat that he tried to negotiate business for his company during an official meeting.

Manyi reportedly appealed for his job back to new Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant after the cabinet overhaul.

Manyi is president of the Black Management Forum. He faced an uphill battle to keep his post as president of the BMF, with former leaders of the forum describing him as unfit to hold office.

Manyi yesterday declined to comment on "that saga".

"I'm opening a new chapter in my life. I'm excited that I have another opportunity to serve my country," he said.