DA wants MEC axed

The DA in the Eastern Cape will table a motion to debate the removal of the province’s MEC for health, Sindiswa Gomba, in the provincial legislature.

In a virtual press briefing yesterday, DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga said there was a lack of leadership in the provincial government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the party would table a motion to debate the removal of Gomba in the provincial legislature.

“For the province to move forward, we need capable people,” he said.

“The extent of these failures was highlighted when the Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize had to assign a team of medical experts from national to assist,” Bhanga said.

“Premier Oscar Mabuyane has also been forced to bring in additional support, appointing the ex-MEC for health in the province, Dr Bevan Goqwana, as well as ex-HOD for the provincial department of health, Dr Siva Pillay.”

He said this step was a “true indictment” of the leadership in the health portfolio. Asked if replacing the MEC during a pandemic wouldn’t lead to more instability, DA provincial spokesperson for health Jane Cowley said: “I don’t think there can be more instability in the health department.”

She said a capable, fitfor-purpose person would stabilise the department.

The DA also demanded daily updates on Covid-19 infection statistics for the province, as is done by premiers Alan Winde and David Makhura, in the Western Cape and Gauteng respectively.

DA MP and national spokesperson on health, Siviwe Gwarube said they will lodge requests in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, as they know the information is collated daily and provided to Mkhize. – News24 Wire