The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it will refer Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to Parliament’s ethics committee for allegedly lying about hiring unqualified staff in his office.
Steenhuisen allegedly deviated from the normal recruitment policies for advisors and staff in his office by hiring four individuals who do not have the educational requirements and needed experience.
DID JOHN STEENHUISEN LIE ABOUT HIRING UNQUALIFIED STAFF?
In a parliamentary response to questions posed by the EFF, Steenhuisen reportedly said he did not deviate from the normal recruitment policies. However, the minister of public service and administration has revealed that the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader sent a letter requesting a deviation in order to legitimise the appointment of these unqualified individuals.
The EFF said if Steenhuisen had an ounce of honesty, integrity, and respect for the rule of law, he would have been transparent that there are indeed individuals appointed in his office that do not comply with the standard norms and practices of appointment in government and the minimum qualifications requirements as contained in the Public Services Act, Act 103 of 1994.
“It is only recently that the minister of public service and administration has declined Steenhuisen’s request, whereas these unqualified individuals have been working in the ministry of agriculture for more than three months,” the Red Berets said.
The party also accused Steenhuisen of hampering the efficiency of the department as a result of hiring controversial podcaster and racist Roman Cabanac as his chief of staff.
ROMAN CABANAC REFUSES TO RESIGN
According to a report by the Daily Maverick, Cabanac is refusing to vacate his position as chief of staff.
While addressing the Cape Town Press Club in September, Steenhuisen confirmed that he had asked Cabanac to step down from his role.
During his address, Steenhuisen said he is happy to admit that no one gets it right all the time.
“People make mistakes, people don’t always get it right and I think you should be judged for what you do when that mistake has been made and has been pointed out to you and what you do thereafter. There has been a conversation with Mr Cabanac and it is a human resource discussion that’s underway and frankly, I found it far too destructing from the work of our ministry and our government,” the DA leader said.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JOHN STEENHUISEN’S DECISION TO APPOINT PEOPLE FOR POSITIONS THEY AREN’T QUALIFIED FOR?
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