NEWS & POLITICS
South African president axes DA deputy minister
President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced backlash from the Democratic Alliance (DA) after removing Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Whitfield over what the presidency described as an unauthorized trip to the United States.
Michael Oduor
JOHANNESBURG, June 26 - In a statement released on June 25, Ramaphosa stated that Whitfield had violated executive rules by traveling without approval, as required by the Ministerial Handbook, in terms of section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The President stated that he informed DA leader John Steenhuisen, who also serves as the Minister of Agriculture, to nominate a replacement.
"Given all these circumstances, there are consequently no reasonable grounds for Mr. Steenhuisen and the Democratic Alliance to issue ultimatums and threats when the President exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility," Ramaphosa said.
In response, the Democratic Alliance issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Ramaphosa reverse his decision. Steenhuisen argued that Whitfield followed procedure and expressed that on February 12, a letter requesting permission to travel had been written to the President, and further shared that Whitfield received no response to the letter. Despite the letter of apology, he received no response from the President.
"If this situation is not urgently corrected, it will go down as the greatest political mistake in modern South African history," said Steenhuisen.
In a supposed retaliation, the DA is now calling on Ramaphosa to fire Thembi Simelane, Nobuhle Nkabane, David Mahlobo, and other ANC Ministers and Deputy Ministers implicated in corruption within 48 hours.
The incident highlights growing tension within the coalition, occurring on the first anniversary of the Government of National Unity's formation.
