Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane dumps ex-Mabuza spokesman for SABC newswoman

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Premier Refilwe Tsipane-Mtshweni dumps ex-Mabuza spokesperson for SABC newswoman
CHOSEN: Senior SABC reporter Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni has hung up her microphone to become Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane's new spin-doctor. PICTURE BY 013NEWS/MLM.

The appointment apparently happened a week ago or this week.


Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has considered SABC newswoman Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni for the job of the person who must speak for her ahead of her 5-year term as the province’s first citizen.

Mkani-Mpolweni will now represent the face of what ought to be a new leader as Mtshweni-Tsipane becomes the new leader of the Mpumalanga government and flexes her muscles in the process.

Zibonele Mncwango, the man who has been speaking for Mtshweni-Tsipane since last year February and who did most of ex-Premier DD Mabuza’s public relations work since 2012, told the 013NEWS reporter late Wednesday evening that the “appointment of a spokesperson is political appointment”.

SEE ALSO: Public Service Commission finds Zibonele Mncwango guilty 

Mncwango meant that the political leader of a government has the right to choose who must represent him or her during their elected term.

This includes advisors and bodyguards – who are preferred by the elected premier as a woman in charge of the provincial state machinery.

It is said that both Mtshweni-Tsipane and Mkani-Mpolweni will formally meet on Thursday morning this week (6 June) at her office inside the Riverside government complex.

Mncwango said he will remain in Mtshweni-Tsipane’s office “as part of communication”.

Mkani-Mpolweni confirmed the powerful Mpumalanga woman appointed her as spokeswoman.

“Yes I can confirm that I have been appointed, today I had a meet and greet with staff members in the office. It’s only tomorrow when I will meet my principal and from there I will be able to give interviews on my appointment, ” she said Wednesday night.

(edited by MLM) 

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