The newly elected premier of the Free State, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, believes the recent national and provincial elections have demonstrated the need for all political parties to work together in harmony to better the lives of all people.
“We must prioritise the collective interests of our citizens and stop pushing party political interests by any means necessary.”
Letsoha-Mathae, former MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, promised ethical governance at the opening of the seventh administration in the provincial legislature on Friday, 14 June.
She has replaced Mxolisi Dukwana.
“As Free State premier, I pledge to lead by example,” said Letsoha-Mathae on her inauguration.
“We will build an ethical state; one where public service is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and where every decision is made with the best interests of our people at heart.
“Fighting corruption and lawlessness will be at the forefront of our agenda,” she said.
A total of 29 of the 30 members of the provincial government was sworn in on Friday.
The only member who was not sworn in, is Ace Magashule, former premier of the Free State, who is the designated member for the ACT party.
Magashule was due to appear in the High Court on charges of corruption at the same time as the swearing-in ceremony.
The 29 members who took their seats include: the seven members of the DA, including new members of the legislator David Mc Kay, Dulandi Leech, David Masoeu and Werner Pretorius – they joined Roy Jankielsohn, David Janse van Vuuren, and Jafta Mokoena; the four seats of the EFF are again filled by Coach Liphoko, Malefane Msimanga, Maliba Tshabalala and Jemina Nanyane; Molefi Foko, previously the head of security at the Mangaung Metro, now has the seat of Jacob Zuma’s MK Party in the Free State Legislator; and Armand Cloete acts as representative for the FF Plus.
The DA congratulated the new premier and office bearers in the Free State legislature.
Jankielsohn, the DA leader in the Free State, said Friday that changing a face in the ANC would not change the party.
“As the former MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, where testing and licensing offices are unable to deliver services and roads continue to put the lives of commuters at risk, the new premier does not inspire confidence.”
Because former ward councillors of the Mangaung Metro are now included in the provincial legislator, by-elections need to be held in wards 18, 20, 22 and 25.
