Premier Phumulo Masualle has appointed a new acting director-general for the Eastern Cape.
Nomawethu Ngcakani, chief financial officer in the office of the premier (OTP), took over from Mahlubandile Qwase with effect from March 14.
News of the change in guard at the top was contained in an internal memo, which the Dispatch has seen.
Qwase, one of four deputy director-generals (DDGs) in the OTP, took over from Dr Loyiso Mbabane, who resigned on January 31, weeks after he had assumed office and shortly after he was arrested and accused of raping a relative.
Masualle had said the process to find a permanent incumbent was expected to be complete by June, with Qwase to hold the reins until then. But the memo stated that Qwase was relieved of the duties “in line with the principle of rotation”, and that Ngcakani was expected to act as DG between March 14 and March 31.
However, sources close to the matter said yesterday Ngcakani was still occupying the top position.
It is not clear why Masualle opted to remove Qwase as acting DG.
His spokeswoman, Mandisa Titi, yesterday failed to respond to questions on the matter.
However, sources within top management said yesterday Masualle needed Qwase to be present at most meetings he attended.
“It was now getting hectic for Qwase to juggle between being with the premier and heading administration in the province. It is not like he was fired,” said one source. “It was agreed that the occupation of such a crucial office would be rotated between the four DDGs.”
Another source said Qwase was replaced because he could not “travel with the premier most of the time”.
Neither Qwase nor Ngcakani could be reached for comment yesterday. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Premier to ‘rotate’ acting director-general until June
Nomawethu Ngcakani, chief financial officer in the office of the premier (OTP), took over from Mahlubandile Qwase with effect from March 14.
News of the change in guard at the top was contained in an internal memo, which the Dispatch has seen.
Qwase, one of four deputy director-generals (DDGs) in the OTP, took over from Dr Loyiso Mbabane, who resigned on January 31, weeks after he had assumed office and shortly after he was arrested and accused of raping a relative.
Masualle had said the process to find a permanent incumbent was expected to be complete by June, with Qwase to hold the reins until then. But the memo stated that Qwase was relieved of the duties “in line with the principle of rotation”, and that Ngcakani was expected to act as DG between March 14 and March 31.
However, sources close to the matter said yesterday Ngcakani was still occupying the top position.
It is not clear why Masualle opted to remove Qwase as acting DG.
His spokeswoman, Mandisa Titi, yesterday failed to respond to questions on the matter.
However, sources within top management said yesterday Masualle needed Qwase to be present at most meetings he attended.
“It was now getting hectic for Qwase to juggle between being with the premier and heading administration in the province. It is not like he was fired,” said one source. “It was agreed that the occupation of such a crucial office would be rotated between the four DDGs.”
Another source said Qwase was replaced because he could not “travel with the premier most of the time”.
Neither Qwase nor Ngcakani could be reached for comment yesterday. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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