SA: Statement by Liezl van der Merwe, IFP Communications Spokesperson, new communication minister welcomed by Inkatha Freedom Party (09/07/201)

9th July 2013

The IFP has welcomed President Zuma's Cabinet reshuffle today,
especially the announcement that a new Minister of Communications will
take charge of the beleaguered Department.

"The IFP takes President Zuma's extensive reshuffle of his Executive
today, as a frank admission that his Cabinet was not functioning to
the best of its abilities. We are hopeful that this Cabinet reshuffle
will strengthen some of the non-performing Departments, and improve
Government's dismal service delivery record," said Koos van der Merwe
MP, the IFP's Chief Whip.

Liezl van der Merwe MP, IFP spokesperson on Communications, said that
under Pule's reign, the Department of Communication had faced one
crisis after another.

"The Department of Communications (DoC) is now under scrutiny by
Parliament, and others. Serious damage has been done by the persistent
allegations of corruption, nepotism, and cadre deployment. We are
hopefully that new Minister Yunis Carriem will bring bold and stable
leadership, which is urgently required to harness this Department's
development potential and put it back on the right track. Bold
leadership - that will focus on priorities, policy and strategy.
Without this, the DoC will drift ever further from its potential of
bringing real and meaningful change in the lives of ordinary South
Africans," said van der Merwe.

The IFP wished President Zuma's new Cabinet well.

"The IFP wishes all new Ministers and Deputy Ministers all the best as
they assume their duties today. We pledge our support and we hope that
they will perform their tasks conscientiously, with passion and
commitment to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans,"
concluded Liezl van der Merwe MP.