Delivering his State of the Province speech in a legislature without water, an upbeat Oscar Mabuyane announced a few major plans for the province, including expunging of criminal records of dagga farmers, a renewed plan to explore for shale gas, and a R50-million debt relief scheme for students.
The officials, who were found to be irregularly appointed by the Public Service Commission in the Eastern Cape, were largely seen to be linked to former Eastern Cape transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, who is currently ANC's member of provincial legislature.
The Eastern Cape government has racked 219 complaints, the highest in the country, to be filed with the Public Protector's office for wrongdoing including maladministration, abuse of power and flouting of tender processes.