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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 21:47 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 21:47 |
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday said it had "mixed feelings" over Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa's reshuffling of committee members. The party's council members took comfort in the departure of Absalom Ditshoke, Gabriel Twala, Neldo Mokoena and Tebogo Komane who had "helped bring the metro council to such dire [financial] straits", DA chief whip Derek Fleming said in a statement. He said in recent weeks the appointment of African National Congress (ANC) regional chairperson Sputla Ramokgopa had clearly anticipated the changes, as he was "susceptible to reason", had a "keen sense of scientific method" and "purposeful administrative bent". Ramokgopa announced the council reshuffle on Tuesday after meeting with the regional branch of the ANC. "The mayor is an appointee of the previous state president; the new wave as seen in the announced MMCs [members of the mayoral committee] are clearly not part of 'Team Thabo [Mbeki]'." He also welcomed the retention of the "competent and dedicated" Subesh Pillay. However, the retention of Tessa Ernest to head up the agriculture and environmental management portfolio sent "shivers up the spine" given past rants in council against antiretrovirals as medication for HIV/Aids sufferers. Ernest was also responsible for the current debacle over waste removal, which had culminated in an illegal strike, he said. The rise of Ernie Jacobson to the finance portfolio was also loaded with irony.  CONTINUES BELOW "Only eight years ago ANC cadres referred to him as the 'prince of apartheid' for his role in imposing 'separate development' on their families in Pretoria. "Clearly the efficacy of ingratiation does work on the ANC, who seem to be under a spell of historical amnesia." -- Sapa TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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