Is Cyril Ramaphosa a president caught between a rock and a hard place or just a slow-footed one when it comes to addressing pressing matters of national concern?
On Tuesday he made an unexpected announcement that Thembi Simelane, who is accused of corruption, will now be minister of human settlements after she was moved from the justice and constitutional development department amid corruption allegations.
The criticism that Ramaphosa delayed taking action against Simelane is correct. However, if he were to remove every member who was merely accused of wrongdoing, the ANC would be on a slippery slope that would lead to Ramaphosa himself having to step aside from his role, given the Phala Phala saga. His deputy would also have to face the axe, and many others who were fingered in the state capture inquiry. Equally, Simelane has not yet been formally charged, and though media reports lifted the lid on the wrongdoing, there is a requirement that the allegations be tested in a court of law.
Granted, Ramaphosa is steering a fragile ship of the GNU, and the dual navigation of both his internal ANC politics and those of the coalition are probably testing. However, a nation’s socioeconomic needs should be near the top priority.
The call for him to discharge her from a role that could potentially give her undue influence on the outcome of any investigation is not misplaced, as her being there was tainting not only the credibility of the very organisation she was heading, but also brought questions about the president’s leadership.
Granted, Ramaphosa is steering a fragile ship of the GNU, and the dual navigation of his internal ANC politics and those of the coalition are probably testing. However, a nation’s socioeconomic needs should be near the top priority. Demonstrating a lack of decisiveness is hardly a character expected from a man in his position, a display of concession rather than decisive action taints the confidence that the people of this country deserve in the government’s commitment to fighting crimes of all kinds.
Though a measured move, shifting her to a different department given the gravity of the accusations levelled against her does not send the right message, as the human settlements department is an equally important portfolio. Deploying a minister of her calibre to it communicates a lack of consideration for its mandate in a society such as South Africa.
Given the injustice that the past regime — apartheid — unleashed on the people of this country and stripped them of their dignity, one would expect that this department would be spared questionable characters at its helm. The restoration of the dignity of the disenfranchised masses should be protected, housing being one of the key tenets of restoration.
Simelane is accused of improperly getting a loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, one of the companies that was instrumental in the downfall of VBS Mutual Bank. Even within the GNU, he was criticised, with the DA saying it is “outraged” at the decision, adding that this was “disrespectful to South Africans, and importantly, an insult to millions of citizens who continue to wait on adequate shelter as promised by section 26 of our constitution.
“The DA reiterates its message that Simelane is unfit for cabinet. End of story.”
The other dissatisfaction was from Mmusi Maimane of Build One South Africa, who said those implicated in the VBS scandal should be dealt with and not accommodated in other portfolios.
The balance between factional dynamics, allegiances and decisiveness should not be a burden on the public. It should not have to take an outcry for a president to act. Though a rushed reaction is not necessarily a good move, too much of a delay can also spark uncertainty, it is critical to strike a balance.
Hopefully, this will make room for a proper investigation to be done and justice to be served.
For opinion and analysis consideration, email Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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