The Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has shown Democratic Alliance (DA) deputy minister of Trade, Andrew Whitfield, the door with immediate effect from his bloated Cabinet.

“The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP, from the position of Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition. 

According to the official statement issued by the President, Ramaphosa has thanked the former deputy minister for the time he served in the role.

“However, the President has not indicated any intention to conduct a wholesale cabinet reshuffle.”

Earlier, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni dodged confirming whether Ramaphosa is planning a Cabinet reshuffle.

This follows reports that Andrew Whitfield, the deputy minister of trade, industry, and competition, is among those who have already received a letter from the president thanking them for their service, effectively ending their tenure in the executive.

The reported reshuffle is believed to have been triggered by controversy involving Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, who has come under fire over the contentious appointment of chairs to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. 

The scandal follows public backlash in May after Nkabane recommended several politically connected individuals to SETA boards. 

Among the appointees were Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe; former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, KwaZulu-Natal transport head Siboniso Mbhele, and ANC Johannesburg deputy regional secretary Loyiso Masuku.

Nkabane’s initial refusal to identify who selected the board members raised additional concerns over transparency and political patronage.

Pressure has been mounting in recent weeks, with political parties calling for Ramaphosa to dismiss Nkabane.

Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday in Cape Town following a Cabinet meeting held June 25, Ntshavheni refused to confirm or deny the reshuffle.

However, her remarks and body language suggested something else.

“Let me start with the easy one. There’s a saying that the turkey has no say on Christmas. Meaning that I am a minister. If the service is full, I am equally affected,” she said.

“I will not know whether there is a reshuffle or not until I am called to say you are being reshuffled.”

Ntshavheni explained that, under the Constitution, the president exercises executive power in two ways – collectively with the Cabinet and independently.

“The decision to appoint, or disappoint, or to remove or reshuffle ministers and deputy ministers – is the sole prerogative of the president,” she said.

“He (referring to Ramaphosa) exercises that without consulting anyone.”

Asked whether a reshuffle was imminent, Ntshavheni refused to say a word.

“I cannot answer the question of who is being reshuffled, who is being appointed, who is being removed. I have no such power. I have no such authority. I am just taking it,” she said. 

“If Cabinet appointments are for Christmas, I am precluded from talking about Christmas.

“I will not even know whether in the takers within the coop, whether I will be part of the taker that is chosen to be eaten on that Christmas. So it is a very difficult question for me to respond to.”

Meanwhile, the DA, which has been at loggerheads with the African National Congress, leading the Government of National Unity, holds 12 posts in the Cabinet.

The blue party has six Cabinet ministers, as well as six deputy ministers.

It remains unclear who will replace Whitfield should President Cyril Ramaphosa officially remove him from the executive.

Meanwhile, DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille has announced she had convened an urgent meeting of the DA’s federal executive on Thursday, following cabinet reshuffle.

“I have convened an urgent meeting of the DA’s Federal Executive today, following the actions of President Cyril Ramaphosa around the composition of the National Executive of the Government of National Unity,” Zille said.

Zille confirmed that the DA’s Federal Executive will meet on Thursday afternoon and the blue party will give further comment thereafter.

IOL 

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