President Cyril Ramaphosa must finally act against his underperforming and compromised ministers — or risk losing the public’s trust for good, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.
If there was ever a time for President Cyril Ramaphosa to clean out his cabinet, it is now.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been accused of interfering in an investigation into crime networks. Even worse, there is evidence that he was in communication with alleged underworld boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala — via businessman Brown Mogotsi.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi dropped the bombshell last week, saying his officers had proof of the link. At first, Mchunu claimed not to know Mogotsi. Then he backtracked, saying the man was “just a comrade”.
This should be enough for Ramaphosa to act. A minister who compromises himself like this, and drags down the executive in the process, must be fired.
But it should not stop there.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane is another who must go. She took a R575,000 kickback from the VBS Mutual Bank scandal and refused to take responsibility or even say sorry. Instead of firing her, Ramaphosa simply moved her to another department.
Then there is Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. She is facing serious allegations from the DA for lying to Parliament. She claimed Advocate Terry Motau chaired a panel advising her on SETA board appointments. Motau later said he was never involved.
The DA says Nkabane also misused her powers to help fellow ANC members into board positions — and has laid charges of fraud and corruption.
Why is she still in office?
David Mahlobo, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, is another questionable appointment. The Zondo Commission recommended that he be prosecuted for his role in the state capture scandal. At the time, he was Minister of State Security and a close ally of Jacob Zuma.
Zondo said Mahlobo took part in dodgy operations and received large amounts of cash — all while meddling in the agency’s daily business.
Ramaphosa said he read the State Capture Report. But instead of acting, he gave Mahlobo another government job. The president has full power to hire and fire ministers and deputy ministers. He cannot shift the blame.
Despite all this, the ANC continues to protect its own.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula defended Mchunu and blasted Mkhwanazi for going public with the allegations.
“It borders on lawlessness and a banana republic that a high-ranking police commissioner can basically go to television and make disparaging and grave accusations and allegations in the way we have learned about them,” he said.
“And it borders on lawlessness and banana republic because at the end of the day we’ve got to do something about this.”
He painted Mchunu as a hard-working minister who was turning the tide against crime. But that no longer matters. Mchunu has lost the trust of the people and the police.
Across the country, people are forming WhatsApp groups to plan protests in case Mkhwanazi is suspended. Within the police, Mkhwanazi is seen as a fearless fighter taking on dangerous criminal networks. He has the people’s backing.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have warned Ramaphosa of a growing risk of national unrest, similar to the deadly July 2021 riots.
The State Security Agency, the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence division and the South African National Defence Force have all sounded the alarm.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed this week that her department is worried about mass protests.
People across the country feel ignored by their government. They protest when they are not heard. Ministers like Mchunu, Simelane, Nkabane and Mahlobo are protected while communities continue to suffer.
This is Ramaphosa’s chance to prove he is on the side of the people — not his political allies.
He must fire those who fail South Africa. The axe is long overdue.
Pictured above: President Cyril Ramaphosa
Image source: GCIS
