Durban - The Democratic Alliance has announced its Member of Parliament Siviwe Gwarube as its new Chief Whip in the National Assembly, as the official opposition party embarks on several changes to its Shadow Cabinet.
Gwarube, who had served as the DA’s Deputy Chief Whip, now steps into the shoes of Natasha Mazzone who has served as the DA’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly since October 2019.
Prior to her swearing in as a MP following the 2019 elections, Gwarube had served as the DA’s executive director of communications.
In what can be viewed as the DA’s own cabinet reshuffle, DA leader John Steenhuisen on Thursday announced that Mazzone would now represent the DA in the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
Steenhuisen said that Mazzone’s move to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence would see her tasked with a specific focus on overhauling the oversight model of the state security apparatus.
“Honourable Mazzone will also serve as the National Security Advisor to the leader of the opposition,” Steenhuisen said.
The party has also rung several other changes to the composition of its shadow cabinet in the National Assembly, including Noko Masipa who will replace Anette Steyn as the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Dianne Kohler-Barnard will now leave her role as DA Shadow Minister of State Security to take up the role of the party’s new Shadow Minister of Communications.
“The DA’s newest Member of Parliament, Marina van Zyl, is the additional member on the Committee on Basic Education. Finally, Solly Malatsi will reprise his role of DA national spokesperson alongside Cilliers Brink. The DA would like to wish our colleagues well in their new positions,” Steenhuisen said.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE