Barry Streek
Former homeland leader Prince James Mahlangu, appointed to a senior government post in Mpumalanga after defecting back to the African National Congress from the United Democratic Movement last month, handed the UDM a medical certificate on his departure stating he had brain damage.
Mahlangu, a former ANC MP who joined the UDM last year, became its provincial leader in Mpumalanga and was an elected MPL in the province. He resigned from the UDM last month citing “health reasons”, giving no details, and then promptly joined the ANC.
The medical certificate confirming Mahlangu is brain-damaged is signed by a Pretoria-based specialist physician.
It reads: “RE: Mr Mahlangu, Senzangakhona James 47 yrs male. I have been looking after the above-named gentleman who has systemic hypertension which is poorly controlled, with complications of recurrent cardiovascular accidents (strokes) on both sides of the brain with evidence both clinically and on CTScan of the brain.
“He should be off duty while we wait for the outcome of his application for early retirement on medical grounds.
“Meanwhile, he should be allowed to rest and carry on with rehabilitation and occupational therapy for six months.”
Last week, however, the Mpumalanga premier, Ndaweni Mahlangu, confirmed that the provincial executive council had appointed James Mahlangu as director of traditional affairs.
James Mahlangu was formerly chief minister of the KwaNdebele homeland, where Ndaweni Mahlangu was his deputy. When James Mahlangu resigned as an ANC MP in May 1995, he also cited health reasons, stating that Cape Town was bad for his asthma.
The UDM this week accused the Mpumalanga government of wasting taxpayers’ money by appointing Mahlangu.
“How does the ANC justify appointing a person back into public service after he has already cited medical disability as his reason for leaving public life?” asked UDM representative Annelize van Wyk.
Sefako Nyako, representative for Ndaweni Mahlangu, said he did not know whether James Mahlangu’s health was discussed when he was interviewed for his new job as director of traditional affairs.
“I was not part of the interviewing. I do not know if his health was raised.”