Cape Town — North West Premier, Bushy Maape, will no longer present the State of the Province Address (SOPA) despite his office advertising two days that he would do so.
In June last year, Maape was on sick leave for five months after he underwent orthopaedic surgery. He returned to office in November before he was booked off again in January 2024 to receive medical care in Thailand. MEC Nono Maloyi stepped in as acting premier in Maape’s absence and was tasked with delivering the SOPA, TimesLIVE reported.
“Acting premier Maloyi is expected to report on the province’s medium-term strategic framework achievements and progress on the implementation of the previous Sopa pronouncements,” spokesperson for the premier’s office Sello Tatai said.
“Maloyi will give an update on progress regarding roads and water infrastructure projects, the province’s investment drive as well as making pronouncements on mega projects to be launched in the new financial year.” Tatai added.
North West Premier, Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has invoked Chapter 6, Section 131(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic South Africa, to appoint MEC Patrick Dumile Nono Maloyi as the Acting Premier effective from 19 Feb 2024 to 10 March 2024. #NWPG #LetsGrowNorthWestTogether pic.twitter.com/MeqidI1fB8
— NWPG (@NWPGOV) February 18, 2024
Both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighter’s (EFF) expressed their confusion and disappointment over Maape’s absence, despite his appearance at SONA on 8 February. Each party expressed a lack of confidence in Maloyi’s abilities.
“The premier was OK and even attended the Sona. This is more of a power play than issues with his health. Maloyi’s faction is simply displaying that he is in charge. If there is any truth to Maape’s health issue, then the ANC must remove him from the position so he can focus solely on his health,” DA caucas leader, Freddy Sonalike, said.
“e are dismayed about the continued inability [of] the premier to perform his statutory duties. The extension of his leave corroborates our long-held view that the premier is old and weak with no appetite to service the residents of the North West,” EFF North West chairperson, Shakes Botswe, said.
Coming to the defence of his predecessor, Maloyi said he was honoured to present SOPA on behalf of Maape and appealed to the public to respect Maape’s privacy during this time. SABC News reported.
“Honorable Speaker, we wish to caution and plead with the public and parties represented in this legislature to appreciate the balance between the complexity of holding the premier accountable and respecting his human dignity, and privacy of his health information. We wish to take this opportunity to wish Premier Maape well on his ongoing medical treatment,” he said.
North West 2024 State of the Province Address currently underway at the North West Provincial Legislature. https://t.co/X0cVxYheCV
— NWPG (@NWPGOV) February 20, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
