President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired a minister from his own party for the first time — and now he needs to keep swinging, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.
Criminal profilers say once a killer takes the first life, it gets easier with every strike.
If that’s true, let’s hope President Cyril Ramaphosa now finds it easier to fire ministers, especially the ones from his own party, the ANC.
He had no problem sacking opposition member Andrew Whitfield from the DA. Whitfield, who was deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, went on a party-sponsored trip to the United States in February — after asking for Ramaphosa’s approval 10 days in advance.
Ramaphosa never responded. Whitfield even apologised afterwards. Still, he was axed on 26 June, without warning.
Some saw that move as Ramaphosa finally showing leadership. People hoped he would follow it by removing others who had done far worse.
But weeks went by — and the axe remained idle.
Not even when KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi exposed police minister Senzo Mchunu for working closely with dangerous criminals did Ramaphosa act.
Instead, it took Dr Nobuhle Nkabane’s scandal to finally force Ramaphosa’s hand.
She was the minister of higher education — until it was revealed she had filled Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards with ANC-linked individuals, including Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe’s son, Buyambo.
She lied to Parliament, claiming an “independent panel” had made the decisions. That panel didn’t exist.
This time, Ramaphosa acted.
Her firing pleased the DA — which had demanded it. It may also help cool down the South African Communist Party (SACP), which had threatened to contest the ANC in upcoming elections.
To sweeten the deal, Ramaphosa appointed SACP senior leader Bhuti Manamela to Nkabane’s post. The department is largely staffed by SACP members and was once headed by SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande.
It was a smart political move. But it’s not enough.
Now that Ramaphosa’s axe is sharp, Mchunu’s head should be next.
Evidence shows Mchunu shut down the police’s Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal without following procedure.
Even worse, it seems he did it to protect politicians — and possibly criminals — linked to the ANC.
A commission of inquiry into police intelligence is about to start its work. But Ramaphosa must act now. South Africa doesn’t need two ministers and two deputies running one department. He must fire Mchunu and appoint someone who can fix the broken police service.
And while he’s at it, Ramaphosa should remove Thembi Simelane, the minister of human settlements.
She pocketed R575,000 from the VBS Mutual Bank scandal. That’s more than enough to be shown the door.
Deputy minister of water and sanitation, David Mahlobo, should also be out. The Zondo Commission found that he meddled in state security operations, took large sums of cash and worked closely with corrupt elements during the state capture era.
He was recommended for prosecution — but instead of acting, Ramaphosa gave him another job. That makes him responsible. He cannot blame anyone else.
In KwaZulu-Natal, two more ANC deployees should be recalled.
Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka oversaw a disastrous R2.9-billion school feeding scheme that left over two million poor learners without meals.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane faces allegations of channelling state funds to a family-owned company.
She is also accused of using her power to force Vuma FM to fire presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma — allegedly threatening to cancel government advertising if the station refused.
KZN finance MEC Francois Rodgers has launched a probe into both Simelane and Hlomuka. But Ramaphosa can save him the time and energy.
He should order the ANC in the province to recall them — and give clean governance a chance.
Ramaphosa has the power to fix his government. He just needs to keep swinging that axe. And once the job is done, no one will blame him for taking a break.
Pictured above: President Cyril Ramaphosa
Image source: GCIS
