PULE MAKGALE
The strained relationship between Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson and his deputy, Sihle Zikalala, came under the spotlight once again during a parliamentary portfolio committee session yesterday.
Their disagreements did not go unnoticed by the Members of Parliament (MPs), who were left perplexed and unimpressed by the public display of discord. While Macpherson attempted to highlight progress in key areas under his leadership, Zikalala suggested the opposite — that the department had regressed since Macpherson’s appointment. This public clash has renewed discussions about the rift that has been simmering since Macpherson, a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), was appointed to head the Public Works Ministry, replacing Zikalala.
Zikalala, who had been in the role previously, felt slighted by the shift, especially given the fact that he was replaced by someone with less academic qualifications and public service experience. Zikalala was not shy in expressing his concerns, telling the committee that the department’s performance had dipped, particularly in quarters two and three. “I think we must not underreport or sugarcoat. The performance is a problem. Some things are very worrisome at a strategic level,” he said, underlining his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
Their issues are believed to be underscored by MacPherson’s treatment of the IDT (Independent Development Trust) board and executives. Some in the committee believe that MacPherson is attempting to purge IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka and others in the executive and replace them with candidates who are “warm to the DA”.
MacPherson has appointed Zimbini Hill and Matodzi Ratshimbilani to the IDT board. The pair were unceremoniously axed from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) board by then Minister Mondli Ngungubele but have now resurfaced at the IDT.
Macpherson is reviewing recommendations from the board of the trust to fill five vacancies, four of which have existed since 2023.
Board appointments to the IDT board are in line with the trust deed, which stipulates that the board must provide the Minister with recommendations to fill any vacancy that arises when a non-ministerial trustee appointee vacates his or her post during his or her term, from which the Minister can select a candidate to appoint to complete the remainder of the term.
The tension between Macpherson and Zikalala was further exacerbated when committee chairperson Carol Phiri stopped Macpherson from giving a full overview of the department’s performance. Phiri, however, was firm in her stance, insisting that Macpherson’s role was to make opening remarks, not to usurp the role of departmental officials who were tasked with providing the full report. The public nature of their disagreements only adds weight to the perception that Macpherson may be trying to make Zikalala feel as though he no longer has a place in the ministry.
The Star
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