Sports MEC flays department head over late submissions

Eastern Cape sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo has taken her new head of department to task, accusing her of repeatedly failing to carry out executive instructions. Nomathamsanqa Gobozi-Nibe was appointed as HOD with effect from September 1 2025. In confidential correspondence leaked to the Dispatch, Ngongo said Gobozi-Nibe’s alleged noncompliance was compromising the functioning of the MEC’s office and damaging her credibility before the Bhisho legislature.

In the letter dated January 28, Ngongo gave the HOD 48 hours to correct what she described as a pattern of delayed submissions of documentation or face “further action”. “I am writing to express my concern regarding the continued non-adherence to prescribed timelines by the department in respect of submissions requested by my office,” Ngongo wrote. She referred to an internal memorandum on December 3 setting deadlines for the provision of documentation for the legislature, including committee submissions and house resolutions.

“The ability of the executive authority to execute constitutional, legislative and oversight responsibilities is directly dependent on the discipline, responsiveness and co-operation of the department. “However, the continued disregard for timelines has now materially compromised the functioning of my office and my preparedness before the legislature,” Ngongo said. Among the concerns raised was the department’s alleged failure to provide inputs required for the MEC’s policy speech scheduled for January 29.

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Gobozi-Nibe’s office had been asked to supply updates from oversight visits to the Joe Gqabi, Chris Hani and Alfred Nzo districts, as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. “But to date, these inputs have not been received, which has impeded the finalisation of the speech,” Ngongo wrote. She also complained that house resolutions due on January 28 were only submitted on the morning of the deadline.

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