POLITICAL NEWS - Corruption Watch (CW) has noted with grave concern President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to appoint former communications minister Dina Pule as minister of social development.
Ramaphosa announced the latest reshuffle of cabinet late last night. Except for Pule, six of the seven cabinet changes were requested by the DA, affecting the party's own positions in the GNU.
In a statement released this morning, the DA spokesperson on social development, MP Nazley Sharif, said the party rejects and condemns Ramaphosa's "shock decision to appoint Dina Pule back into Cabinet."
The condemnation by Corruption Watch, a non-profit organisation, followed shortly after, saying Ramaphosa's decision does not invite confidence.
CW states that the appointment places a politician with a well-documented record of ethical misconduct at the helm of a department that administers social grants for some 28-million South Africans and manages one of government’s largest budgets.
Dina Pule, the new minister of social development Photo: x.com
"As communications minister from October 2011 to July 2013, Pule oversaw extensive mismanagement involving her department, including the ICT Indaba scandal, in which Parliament's ethics committee found that she had concealed her relationship with businessman Phosane Mngqibisa while millions of rands in public funds and contracts were allegedly channelled to companies linked to him - these perks included overseas trips and accommodation," says CW Executive Director Lebo Ramafoko.
Pule was dismissed from Cabinet in July 2013 following the revelations.
"A subsequent Public Protector report found that she had acted unlawfully and unethically, and that she had persistently misled Parliament and investigators during the process.
"CW was among the civil society organisations that publicly called for her removal at the time and for criminal charges to be brought against her, and we stand by the concerns we raised then," says Ramafoko.
"It is a slap in the face of everyone advocating for just and accountable governance for the president to choose someone who had been embroiled in corruption at the last ministry she headed to be the new minister for social development.
It seems as if this department has been identified as the dumping place for the ANC Women’s league, whose leaders have not advanced gender equity and have all had small skeletons lurking in their closets.”
DA: Ramaphosa chooses ANC Women’s League over needy millions
In her earlier statement Sharif said Pule was removed from Cabinet in disgrace and her conduct was referred for criminal investigation.
"The DA believes that social development is so crucial a portfolio, with such a significant budget, that it demands a minister of impeccable credentials - not one found to have previously betrayed her oath of office and to have brought Parliament into disrepute."
Sharif said it appears Ramaphosa has chosen ANC Women’s League interests, over the interests of millions who rely on social grants and need a reliable minister.
DA spokesperson on social development, MP Nazley Sharif Photo: Facebook
CW: dealing with corruption just words for Ramaphosa
Ramafoko says the social development environment demands a minister with an unimpeachable record of integrity and transparency. "Pule is not that minister. Her appointment aptly demonstrates that dealing with corruption is just words for the president.
"This country has capable women leaders. Which agenda is being fulfilled by choosing some of the worst ones to lead important national portfolios?”
She calls on Ramaphosa to explain the rationale for this appointment, and on the department to proactively and publicly commit to full transparency in its operations, including publishing all supply chain and procurement decisions.
"We further call on Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Social Development to exercise heightened oversight of this ministry. We will not hesitate to act - including calling for Pule’s removal - should any indication of impropriety emerge."
Also read: Ramaphosa makes 7 Cabinet changes
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
