Gauteng gets new development MEC

He would replace Nkosiphendule Kholisile, who was recently killed in a car accident.

"Xayiya would take office immediately," Mokonyane said.

He was previously chairman of the Road and Transport sub-committee in the Gauteng legislature and is currently a member of the Oversight Committee on the Office of the Premier in the Legislature (OCPOL).

The African National Congress in Gauteng welcomed his appointment.

"He has a lot to offer both in terms of his experience and commitment. He is hard working and dedicated cadre of the movement," spokesman Dumisa Ntuli said in a statement.

The Democratic Alliance described the appointment as a puzzling choice.

"He does not have a strong economics background, unlike his predecessor Nkosiphendule Kolisile," DA Gauteng leader Jack Bloom said in statement.

"There are better qualified people in the ANC for this position, so it is a political appointment dictated by the balance of power between Mokonyane and Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile," he said.

Bloom said Xayiya had a daunting task ahead of him as the department's job creation efforts had mostly failed.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge