government Nomvula Mokonyane

Minister Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on outcomes of Cabinet Meeting
Minister of Communications Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on Cabinet meeting of 22 August 2018 in Cape Town [Photo: GCIS]

Nomvula Mokonyane: New environmental minister has a history of failure

Unfortunately, the name Nomvula Mokonyane does not fill many people with confidence. But she’s just landed her third cabinet position this year…

government Nomvula Mokonyane

Minister Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on outcomes of Cabinet Meeting
Minister of Communications Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on Cabinet meeting of 22 August 2018 in Cape Town [Photo: GCIS]

South Africa has a new minister for environmental affairs, and it’s a name that perhaps lives in notoriety rather than anything else. Nomvula Mokonyane isn’t exactly the public’s favourite serving minister, and plenty of South Africans have been quick to denounce her latest career move.

Solly Malatsi is the official spokesperson for the DA. He told eNCA that Mokonyane is in the same boat as Bathabile Dlamini – the former SASSA minister who has been blasted for overt corruption and general incompetence during her time in the cabinet:

“The fact she [Mokonyane] remains in parliament shows that the president is weakened. He’s just shifting people, recycling the same liars over and over again. There are no decisive actions against Dlamini or Mokonyane. It shows there’s no consequence for failure.”

Cabinet reshuffle: Who is Nomvula Mokonyane?

It wasn’t just politicians venting their anger over the appointment, though. Social media users were left deflated with the fact that our “green issues” are in the hands of someone with a history of departmental failure.

Cosatu also described the changes as “not good, and [it’s] not going to solve much”. The verdict is pretty much unanimous on this one. But what is it about Mokonyane that’s got so many people frustrated?

Nomvula Mokanye: Her time in cabinet

Well, her four-year stint in charge of the water and sanitation department was pretty tragic. After taking on the role in 2014, the department was bankrupt just two years later. Disasters such as the Giyani and Vaal debacles – where massive regions were left without clean water – have also been laid at her door.

With regards to Giyani, Nomvula Mokonyane made a series of errors that could have been described as comical, had they not been so serious.

She failed to observe correct tender processes when awarding pipeline contracts to companies offering to sort out the mess – costs spiralled to almost R1bn, but that figure may rise seven-fold.

She was blamed for chronic mismanagement but managed to hold on to her position until 2018. Mokonyane was removed from the department, but it would only be a sideways departure. The ANC politician was then put in charge of communications, with limited success.

What other scandals has Nomvula Mokonyane been involved in?

With just nine months in the role, there wasn’t much Mokonyane could do – positively or negatively – to effect change. Given that the hopeless situation with SABC was on her remit in this time, the situation perhaps didn’t suit either party.

The minister has also been accused of profiting from illegal benefits given out by Bosasa. The security facilities company are linked to some very dodgy deals, and Mokonyane’s name is inextricably linked.

So, there we have it. Our new environmental minister is someone with two water management disasters to her name. Cyril Ramaphosa is obviously operating on the “third time’s a charm” mantra.