Former Minister of Public Works Department Appointed a High Commissioner

When long serving member of the National Assembly, Geoff Doidge was appointed Minister of the national Department of Public Works, he soon endeared himself to many for his accessibility. Addressing one of the annual Master Builders South Africa Congresses, he released his personal mobile telephone number to those wanting to contact him about issues affecting his ministry.

One of the challenges faced while Minister was for the Department to terminate a building contract for the erection of a police station east of Pretoria on the grounds of non-performance by Roux Property Development Services controlled by controversial businessman and property mogul Roux Shabangu. Thereafter Doidge put two long term Billion Rand property leases to house the South African Police Service in Pretoria and Durban on hold, during September 2010 when an investigation of the validity of the leases by Public Protector Thuli Madonsella commenced. After the President exercised his prerogative to reshuffle the Cabinet, Doidge was dropped and Gwen Mahlangu- Nkabinda was appointed his successor.

On 8 December 2010, the new Minister suspended the Director -General, Siviwe Dongwana for alleged charges related but not confined to insubordination, dereliction of duty, and failure to discharge official duties and bringing the Department into disrepute. (Click here for details)

On 6 April 2011, Geoff Doidge posted the following cheerful message on Facebook to announce his departure from South Africa to commence his career as a diplomat.

"Hi to all our many friends, supporters, mentors, and all of you that matter so, so much to all of us. Departure is at 2pm. today on our journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where I will present my credentials as South Africa`s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Plenipotentiary to Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal. Thanks for all your support over the years and I do hope that you will continue to be just that to all of us" he said.

Pieter Rautenbach