President Cyril Ramaphosa says the DA has no grounds to give him an ultimatum to fire other ANC cabinet ministers after he axed deputy trade, industry and competition minister Andrew Whitfield.
Whitfield was fired after travelling to the US without the president’s approval.
On Thursday, DA leader John Steenhuisen gave the president an ultimatum to also fire human settlements minister Thembi Simelane, higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane, water and sanitation deputy minister David Mahlobo and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers facing various allegations.
Steenhuisen described Ramaphosa’s firing of Whitfield as a “political assault on the second-largest party in the governing coalition”.
“Let it be clear that the president shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the executive that he has the prerogative to appoint in accordance with the constitution of SA,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
He was adamant he followed legal process in firing Whitfield.
“Whitfield was removed as a deputy minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the president,” he said.
“His travel to the US was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive."
Ramaphosa referenced the axing of former deputy minister Winnie Madikizela Mandela by former president Nelson Mandela and former president Thabo Mbeki's dismissal of then deputy minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, when asked by Steenhuisen if there were precedent for the move.
“Given all these circumstances, there are consequently no reasonable grounds for Mr Steenhuisen and the DA to issue ultimatums and threats when the president exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility. Nor are there any grounds to try link this with matters that have no bearing on the conduct of the former deputy minister."
Ramaphosa said there was no basis for suggestions that the dismissal of Whitfield was related to any other reason than his failure to receive permission to travel.
He said he was waiting for the DA to give him the name of Whitfield’s replacement.
The minister undertook the trip as SA’s ties with the US have soured following the election of President Donald Trump.
The DA has scheduled a media briefing on Saturday to speak about the move that has shaken the GNU.
With Lizeka Tandwa
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