EFF labels newly-elected Limpopo premier “a pawn of corruption”, DA calls for transparency in the legislature

THE Economic Freedom Front (EFF) in Limpopo remained unimpressed by the election of former Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, as premier of the province.

The party’s caucus leader, Lawrence Mapoulo, said there was “nothing to celebrate her election as she was a pawn of corruption in the province”.

Ramathuba was elected as premier during the first sitting of the provincial legislature in Lebowakgomo on Friday, succeeding Chupu Mathabatha whose second term came to an end after the general elections.

Mapoulo said: “She left a mess in the department of health and I think she is going to migrate with that mess to the premier’s office. Therefore there is nothing to celebrate; we just congratulate the process, but not the person that has been elected.

“Electing a woman may be something that is not progressive. The ANC as we know it, they will continue with their corruption.  She is just a pawn of corruption especially now that they have joined hands with the ‘broederbond’.

“Their thing is mixed masala. This country is in a mess, Limpopo will be worse because somebody who collapsed health facilities and all the clinics, and for her to become a premier, to me is not something to be celebrated.

“People are dying in hospitals, meaning the entire province is going to collapse.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial chairperson, Jacques Smalle, called on the newly-elected speaker, Makoma Makhurupetja, to enhance transparency and cooperation among all parties serving in the legislature through the enforcement of the standing rules of the house.

“Our new caucus members share the responsibility to serve on the portfolio committees, to hold the executive to account through oversight, actively participating in house debates, robust engagement in committee meetings and the passing of legislation to improve the lives of the people in Limpopo,” Smalle said.