Home News MEC Vass passes baton to new MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison

MEC Vass passes baton to new MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison

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MEC Bentley Vass officially handed over leadership of the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison to newly appointed MEC Limakatso Koloi during a brief introductory session held this week at the Department of Coghsta offices in Kimberley.

Newly appointed MEC Limakatso Koloi will take the reins of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison. Picture: SAPS

MEC BENTLEY Vass officially handed over leadership of the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison to newly appointed MEC Limakatso Koloi during a brief introductory session held this week at the Department of Coghsta offices in Kimberley.

Vass had overseen both the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) and the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison after a departmental merger initiated by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul last year.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien highlighted MEC Koloi’s extensive background in governance, safety, and infrastructure. Koloi previously served as chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development and was officially sworn as MEC on Tuesday in a ceremony officiated by Saul.

The handover session on Wednesday was attended by key officials, including the head of department, Rodney Pieterse, the head of ministry, Mr Mbekushe, the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, and deputy provincial commissioners major-generals Luntu Ngubelanga, Thabo Mphuthi, and Johnny Besnaar.

Other attendees included Frances Baard district commissioner Major-General Charlotte Makgari, the provincial head for Corporate Communication, Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien, Kimberley station commander Brigadier Nicky Mtongana, and senior officials from the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and Coghsta.

In her welcoming remarks, Koloi warmly embraced her new role, likening herself to a “mother” in the department’s family. She emphasised her commitment to visiting various offices within the department and the SAPS to engage directly with staff and conduct oversight visits across the Northern Cape.

Gamieldien said that the SAPS in the Northern Cape extended its best wishes to Koloi as she embarks on this new chapter as the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison.

Saul earlier this week also appointed Mangaliso Matika as the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.

Matika vacates his position as deputy secretary of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, where he also served as the chairperson of Ethics and Conduct, chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Arrangements, and chair of the Programming Committee.

Saul had merged several departments following the 2024 general elections to “streamline operations and optimise resources,” reducing the number of MECs from 10 to seven.

Prior to this week’s two new MEC appointments, the MEC for Social Development, Nontobeka Vilikazi, had simultaneously served as the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.

Saul explained that the new appointments would ensure that “government is strategically positioned to deliver services effectively and address the pressing needs of our communities”.

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