WATCH | ‘Flimsy excuse!’ — DA blasts Whitfield sacking as political hit job

Steenhuisen

Cape Town – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dismissal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, calling it a threat to South Africa’s future and the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

During a heated debate on the Division of Revenue Bill in the National Assembly, an evidently frustrated John Steenhuisen told MPs that Andrew Whitfield was likely dismissed as deputy trade and industry minister because he had been probing uncomfortable issues — including the appointment of questionable individuals to the Industrial Development Corporation board and the controversial awarding of lottery licences to a politically connected group.

He criticised the manner and timing of the dismissal, saying he was only informed hours before it happened and not given time to consult his party.

“Yesterday [Wednesday], South Africa’s fututre was put at stake. Shortly before the Cabinet meeting yesterday, the president informed me that he intended to remove deputy minister Andrew Whifield as a deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. I requested 24 hours to speak to Whitfield and to inform my party,” Steenhuisen said.

“However, before I could do so, just three hours later, Whitfield received a letter informing him of his removal. Th apparent reason for the sudden and ill-considered decision is that Whitfield did not obtain permission to travel abroad earlier this year.

“But the facts of this matter contradict this flimsy reasoning. In fact, on the 12 of February, deputy minister Whitfield had written to the president requesting permission to travel.

“Ten days later he had not received a reply or any response whatsoever about the trip. Whitfield subsequently wrote to apologise if he had caused offence. Again, he received no response. Then yesterday, months after the incident and without a further word on it, the president unilaterally removed a DA deputy minister without even giving his largest coalition partner the courtesy of discussing the issue.”

Steenhuisen labelled the dismissal as politically motivated and hypocritical, pointing out that ANC ministers implicated in scandals remain in office, while a DA deputy minister was removed over a minor issue.

He called it a double standard and demanded that ANC ministers involved in corruption be dismissed within 48 hours.

“There are members in the Cabinet who are implicated in the VBS scandal and looting.

“There are members in the Cabinet despite apparently misleading Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to Seta [Sector Education and Training Authority] boards remains in the Cabinet,” Steenhuisen said.

“Serial underperformers and people implicated in state capture continue to sit around the cabinet table.

“Now, instead of being summarily fired like Whitfield was, these ministers get an opportunity to submit a report to the president on their behaviour.

“In the past, even ministers who had serious public protective findings against them were merely admonished or had their pay docked. Yet a DA deputy minister is dismissed with the flimsiest of excuses.”

Steenhuisen asserted that Whitfield was performing well in his role, highlighting that he had been posing “uncomfortable questions” regarding the contentious national lotteries licence tender, among other issues.

“Now if this situation is not corrected, it will go down as the greatest political mistake in modern South African history.

“And so seeing the president is now ‘cleaning house’, I would like to suggest that he sweeps in front of his own doorstep before he sweeps in front of the DA’s doorstep.”

Despite the controversy, the DA confirmed it would support the Division of Revenue Bill for the country’s sake.

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