The unexpected resignation of Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Mr Thaba Mufamadi, was received with shock this week by the Young Communist League, the ANC Youth League and various other government alliance structures, but welcomed by provincial opposition leader Michael Holford (Democratic Alliance).

There has also been much speculation regarding his possible successor, as well as the political future of other "old guard" provincial cabinet members such as Collins Chabane, Aaron Motsoaledi and Dikeledi Magadzi.

Mufamadi's resignation was announced in a very brief and terse media statement, which said only that the MEC would be leaving politics to enter the private sector. The government's national mouthpiece, BuaNews, did not shed any further light on the subject, merely quoting the media release.

Pulling no punches in its official statement, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the resignation of Mufamadi, describing it as "his final acknowledgement that politics does not give him pleasure". DA provincial leader Michael Holford said Mufamadi’s "dubious involvement with the likes of Ramatlhodi and Mushwana" remained fresh in the minds of the public.

"We are pleased that Mufamadi had decided to make a constructive move to join the private sector, and feel sure that he will find space and place for his many and varied skills," Holford commented.

He claimed that the Department of Public Works had exhibited the excessive and squanderous trends reminiscent of Mufamadi's previous department, adding that the chaos and current confusion surrounding the relocation of the Legislature spoke of poor political leadership by Mufamadi. The ANC had once again failed the transparency test - in defending Mufamadi’s move, the party had tried unsuccessfully to dispel rumours, and this course of action had actually amounted to a clumsy acknowledgement of sorts.

"The ANC must still learn that the public in Limpopo demand accountability and transparency as principles of good governance", Holford insisted.

Holford said the DA found it disappointing that the provincial government had missed a golden opportunity to make much-needed changes to other departments.