The executive mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Florence Dzhombere, has been appointed MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, following a cabinet reshuffle by Premier Cassel Mathale on Tuesday. Mathale reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, following the decision by the national government to place some of Limpopo’s departments under administration.

Dzhombere replaces Mr George Phadagi.

The reshuffle also includes the replacement of the MEC for the Department of Co-Operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mr Soviet Lekganyane, who will now assume his responsibilities as provincial secretary of the ANC on a full-time basis. Lekganyane will be replaced by Mr Clifford Motsepe as MEC.

Confirming the reshuffle, the spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Mr Phuthi Mosomane, said that the Limpopo Provincial Government was committed to its key priorities "that are geared towards enhancing service delivery and improving the lives of our people".

"The premier extends his gratitude to the outgoing members of the executive council for the huge contribution that they made to the government. It is through their effort that we have been able to achieve what we achieved in the past 18 years. We wish them well into the future," said Mosomane.

Dzhombere is the current deputy secretary of the ANC in the province and Vhembe region as well as the chairperson of the women’s league in the same region.

The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo hailed the reshuffling of Limpopo's cabinet: "This reshuffle has to be Mathale’s last chance to demonstrate his seriousness about improving his government’s performance. We congratulate the new MECs and wish them well in their appointments," said the DA leader in Limpopo, Desiree van der Walt.

Van der Walt said the DA would continue to engage with the new MECs constructively to make sure that service delivery was improved for the people of Limpopo.

"Notably, we welcome the appointment of Clifford Motsepe as the new MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.  Having been the HOD of this best-performing department, he brings a lot of skills and his appointment will ensure continuity and stability within the department. Sadly, the very critical department for our learners, the Department of Education, continues under MEC Dickson Masemola," she added.

The DA expressed hope that the Premier would have seized this opportunity to restore this department for the betterment of the province's education system. "Obviously, in this case, political dynamics took precedence over the fact that our children deserve a chance in life through quality education. The sacking of both Joyce Mashamba and George Phagadi is most welcome," she said.

"On the other hand, the removal of Dikeledi Magadzi as MEC for Health and Social Development is a concern for us, because we know her for her dedication and hard work. We hope that our people will continue to have the benefit of services in whatever new role she will be given," she said.

Van der Walt cast doubts on the elevation of hardworking Vhembe Mayor Florence Dzhombere to the role of MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison. "It is an indisputable fact that Vhembe’s management is way below acceptable standards.  The question that remains to be answered is what leadership record she supposedly brings to this new role?"

The full cabinet is: Dr Norman Mabasa (Health and Social Development), Pitsi Moloto (Roads and Transport), Pinkie Kekana (Economic Development, Environment & Tourism), Dickson Masemola (Education), Jacob Marule (Agriculture), David Masondo (Treasury), Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba (Sports, Arts and Culture), Florence Dzhombere (Safety, Security and Liaison), Clifford Motsepe (Corporate Government, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs) and Thabitha Mohlala (Public Works).