Northern Cape Premier Dr. Zamani Saul has officially accepted the resignation of MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, following a series of discussions regarding the provincial cabinet. The Premier confirmed the decision on 15 August 2026, marking a significant shift in the provincial executive as the region contends with ongoing healthcare infrastructure and staffing challenges.
The move follows internal political consultations within the provincial African National Congress (ANC) regarding cabinet stability. While some initial media reports erroneously identified the departing official as an ‘MEC Makatong’, verified provincial records and official statements confirm the resignation concerns Lekwene.
I have accepted the resignation of MEC Maruping Lekwene, and I thank him for his service to the people of the Northern Cape.
Premier Saul has initiated a cabinet reshuffle to address the vacancy and maintain operational continuity. These administrative adjustments are frequently utilised in the provincial sphere to align leadership with specific developmental targets and to navigate internal party dynamics.
The provincial Department of Health continues to face pressure to improve service delivery in rural and urban clinics across the Northern Cape. The stability of the provincial cabinet is viewed as a primary factor in the successful implementation of long-term healthcare reforms.
We are currently awaiting an official announcement regarding the appointment of a successor to the health portfolio. We will provide further updates as they become available from the Office of the Premier.