Deputy minister's behaviour highlights leadership deficit

We regret having to use this space to address statements made by an individual. However, we have a duty to make our voice heard.

Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Kebby Maphatsoe's accusation that the public protector is a CIA agent is alarming.

After failing to provide any proof of his assertion, yesterday the deputy minister tried to change tack and said Madonsela was behaving like a spy.

Maphatsoe is no ordinary politician. He is part of President Jacob Zuma's team. He sits in on important meetings that deal with the affairs of the country. We cannot simply dismiss this outburst as the rant of a looney or an upstart.

His statements and behaviour create fertile ground among some sections of the ANC who seek to attack any person or institution that holds a view that differs from the president's.

For them, the defence of Zuma supercedes our constitution.

Maphatsoe and those who support his views should be isolated and made to account for wild, unsubstantiated statements.

We fully support Thuli Madonsela in her moves to demand an apology from Maphatsoe.

The criteria we once followed to select those who serve in government appear to be dead and buried. To end up with individuals like Maphatsoe speaks of our leadership deficit.

If the deputy minister can't back his statements and allegations, he should be forced to apologise to the nation.

Whatever work the public protector is involved in and the findings she hands down after her investigations should be interrogated.

However, it is folly when those who should know better abuse their public office to attack people for doing their jobs.

To say someone is a spy or acts like a spy is dangerous, especially in an atmosphere as politically toxic as ours. Our country's future is at risk if we continue to have the likes of Maphatsoe in government.

This individual should be made aware that holding a position in government requires a level of intelligence.

We call on Zuma to fire Maphatsoe.