President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to DA leader John Steenhuisen, saying that he will not yield to threats, after he gave Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire all ANC ministers involved in corruption and nepotism.

This comes after DA’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, was removed from his position because he undertook an international visit without Ramaphosa’s permission.

This comes after Ramaphosa’s sudden decision to remove Whitfield from his position on Thursday.

The Presidency confirmed the dismissal of the deputy minister, plunging the Government of National Unity (GNU) into shaky ground.

Whitfield, a DA member of Parliament, was serving in the Ramaphosa-led GNU. 

A brief statement from the Presidency thanked him for his service but gave no reason for his removal.

“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,” the statement read.

Earlier, IOL News reported that Whitfield said the DA may reconsider its role in the GNU if Ramaphosa fails to act against ministers the party deems compromised. 

He confirmed that the president gave no formal reason for his removal, other than citing Section 93(1), which gives the president the prerogative to appoint and dismiss members of the executive.

“At no stage leading up to this letter that I received or up until this evening have I received any formal explanation as to what the reason may be,” Whitfield said.

The blue party believes the dismissal is linked to Whitfield’s February trip to the United States as part of a DA delegation, reportedly undertaken without written presidential approval

Ramaphosa has recently broken his silence on the matter, explaining that it is not standard practice for the presidency to publicly share reasons for executive appointments or dismissals. 

However, he said he felt compelled to speak out due to “unfortunate statements and outright distortions” made by Whitfield and DA leader John Steenhuisen.

Ramaphosa said Whitfield was removed because his trip to the United States violated “rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive.”

“These requirements are known to all ministers and deputy ministers,” Ramaphosa said

He added that they were covered during the induction of the 7th administration and reiterated in Cabinet in March.

The Presidency emphasised that all international travel by members of the executive requires the express permission of the president.

“Mr. Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule,” Ramaphosa said. 

“He sent a perfunctory letter of apology following the trip, indicating that he was aware of the violation.”

Ramaphosa said he informed Steenhuisen in advance of the dismissal and requested that the DA submit a replacement for the post, in accordance with the GNU arrangements. 

During that discussion, Steenhuisen confirmed that Whitfield had anticipated possible dismissal.

Ramaphosa said Steenhuisen asked whether there was precedent for such action, to which he responded by mentioning the dismissals of former Deputy Minister Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 1995 and Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge in 2007 – both for unauthorized international travel.

“Given all these circumstances, there are no reasonable grounds for the DA to issue ultimatums and threats,” Ramaphosa said. 

“There is no basis for suggestions that the dismissal was linked to anything other than Mr. Whitfield’s failure to comply with the rules.”

Ramaphosa said Steenhuisen had asked for time to brief the DA’s federal executive before the dismissal letter was delivered. However, the president said this would not have affected the decision.

“It is the responsibility and prerogative of the president to determine the timing and manner of appointments and removals,” Ramaphosa said.

 “I am amazed at Mr. Steenhuisen’s intemperate reaction to Mr. Whitfield’s removal. He knows very well that blatant disregard of the rules is a serious violation.”

The Presidency said Ramaphosa will not yield to threats or ultimatums, particularly from members of the executive whom he appoints under the Constitution.

The DA has given President Cyril Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum to fire several ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption or face the consequences. 

The party specifically mentioned Thembi Simelane, who remains in Cabinet despite being implicated in the VBS looting scandal, and Nobuhle Nabane, who misled Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to SETA boards.

It has given Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire Simelane, Nkabane, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption.

If Ramaphosa fails to do so, the DA has warned that the consequences will be severe.

“We call on the president to fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption within the next 48 hours,” the DA said.

“If they fail to do so, the ANC will inflict grave consequences on South Africa.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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