Latest news with #Ramaphosa-led
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
‘I Will Not Yield to Threats': Ramaphosa responds to DA's 48-hour ultimatum on Ministerial corruption
President Cyril Ramaphosa, says he dismissed Andrew Whitfield for violating cabinet protocol on international travel. President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to DA leader John Steenhuisen, saying that he will not yield to threats, after he gave Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire all ANC ministers involved in corruption and nepotism. This comes after DA's Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, was removed from his position because he undertook an international visit without Ramaphosa's permission. This comes after Ramaphosa's sudden decision to remove Whitfield from his position on Thursday. The Presidency confirmed the dismissal of the deputy minister, plunging the Government of National Unity (GNU) into shaky ground. Whitfield, a DA member of Parliament, was serving in the Ramaphosa-led GNU. A brief statement from the Presidency thanked him for his service but gave no reason for his removal. 'The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP, from the position of Deputy Minister for Trade,' the statement read. Earlier, IOL News reported that Whitfield said the DA may reconsider its role in the GNU if Ramaphosa fails to act against ministers the party deems compromised. He confirmed that the president gave no formal reason for his removal, other than citing Section 93(1), which gives the president the prerogative to appoint and dismiss members of the executive. 'At no stage leading up to this letter that I received or up until this evening have I received any formal explanation as to what the reason may be,' Whitfield said. The blue party believes the dismissal is linked to Whitfield's February trip to the United States as part of a DA delegation, reportedly undertaken without written presidential approval Ramaphosa has recently broken his silence on the matter, explaining that it is not standard practice for the presidency to publicly share reasons for executive appointments or dismissals. However, he said he felt compelled to speak out due to 'unfortunate statements and outright distortions' made by Whitfield and DA leader John Steenhuisen. Ramaphosa said Whitfield was removed because his trip to the United States violated 'rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive.' 'These requirements are known to all ministers and deputy ministers,' Ramaphosa said He added that they were covered during the induction of the 7th administration and reiterated in Cabinet in March. The Presidency emphasised that all international travel by members of the executive requires the express permission of the president. 'Mr. Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule,' Ramaphosa said. 'He sent a perfunctory letter of apology following the trip, indicating that he was aware of the violation.' Ramaphosa said he informed Steenhuisen in advance of the dismissal and requested that the DA submit a replacement for the post, in accordance with the GNU arrangements. During that discussion, Steenhuisen confirmed that Whitfield had anticipated possible dismissal. Ramaphosa said Steenhuisen asked whether there was precedent for such action, to which he responded by mentioning the dismissals of former Deputy Minister Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 1995 and Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge in 2007 - both for unauthorized international travel. 'Given all these circumstances, there are no reasonable grounds for the DA to issue ultimatums and threats,' Ramaphosa said. 'There is no basis for suggestions that the dismissal was linked to anything other than Mr. Whitfield's failure to comply with the rules.' Ramaphosa said Steenhuisen had asked for time to brief the DA's federal executive before the dismissal letter was delivered. However, the president said this would not have affected the decision. 'It is the responsibility and prerogative of the president to determine the timing and manner of appointments and removals,' Ramaphosa said. 'I am amazed at Mr. Steenhuisen's intemperate reaction to Mr. Whitfield's removal. He knows very well that blatant disregard of the rules is a serious violation.' The Presidency said Ramaphosa will not yield to threats or ultimatums, particularly from members of the executive whom he appoints under the Constitution. The DA has given President Cyril Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum to fire several ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption or face the consequences. The party specifically mentioned Thembi Simelane, who remains in Cabinet despite being implicated in the VBS looting scandal, and Nobuhle Nabane, who misled Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to SETA boards. It has given Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire Simelane, Nkabane, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption. If Ramaphosa fails to do so, the DA has warned that the consequences will be severe. "We call on the president to fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption within the next 48 hours," the DA said. "If they fail to do so, the ANC will inflict grave consequences on South Africa." IOL Politics
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
DA issues 48-hour ultimatum to Ramaphosa over corruption allegations
Deputy Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Andrew Whitfield, has been dismissed from his position. Image: DTIC / X The DA has given President Cyril Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum to fire several ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption or face the consequences. The ultimatum comes after Ramaphosa's sudden decision to remove DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield from his position on Thursday. The Presidency confirmed the dismissal of Deputy Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Andrew Whitfield, plunging the Government of National Unity (GNU) into shaky ground. Whitfield, a DA Member of Parliament, was serving in the Ramaphosa-led GNU. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading A brief statement from the Presidency thanked him for his service but gave no reason for his removal. 'The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP, from the position of Deputy Minister for Trade,' the statement read, putting the GNU in a tidal wave. The DA has accused Ramaphosa of a "calculated political assault" on the party and has expressed outrage over Whitfield's removal. According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, in a letter written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, Whitfield was removed for not obtaining permission to travel abroad, but the facts contradict this reasoning. "There is no other conclusion to be drawn than that this is a calculated political assault on the second-largest party in the governing coalition," Steenhuisen said. The DA has also accused Ramaphosa of applying a double standard, citing the cases of ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption who remain in their positions. "Serial underperformers, as well as people implicated in state capture, continue to sit around the Cabinet table," the DA said. The party specifically mentioned Thembi Simelane, who remains in Cabinet despite being implicated in the VBS looting scandal, and Nobuhle Nkabane, who apparently misled Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to SETA boards. It has given Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire Simelane, Nkabane, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption. If Ramaphosa fails to do so, the DA has warned that the consequences will be severe. "We call on the president to fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo, and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption within the next 48 hours," the DA said. "If they fail to do so, the ANC will inflict grave consequences on South Africa." The ultimatum has significant implications for the GNU and the future of the coalition. The DA has made it clear that it will not be intimidated or bullied by the ANC and will stand up for its principles and values. Its decision to vote for the Division of Revenue Bill (DORA) despite the controversy surrounding Whitfield's removal is a testament to the party's commitment to putting South Africa's interests first, according to Steenhuisen. "We will vote for DORA today, not for politics, but for South Africa. With this vote, we are demonstrating just how different the DA is from the ANC. We are responsible custodians of executive power. Even under the most difficult of conditions, we can always be trusted to put the people's interests first." Earlier on Thursday, the DA's Federal Executive Chairperson, Helen Zille, indicated that she had called an urgent meeting to discuss the matter. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya had not yet responded to questions on what the president would do about the ultimatum; however, he did communicate that it would not be a whole Cabinet reshuffle. There have been increasing calls from ANC officials to act against the DA for going against it on various issues, including the Employment Equity Act, National Health Insurance, the Expropriation Act, and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. Some DA members have also been calling for a withdrawal from the GNU because they believe the two parties are not seeing eye to eye.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
ActionSA writes to President Ramaphosa demanding dismissal of employment minister
ActionSA has written to President Ramaphosa, requesting that he dismiss the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, for her clear failure to arrest the deepening unemployment crisis that continues to erode hope, dignity and opportunity for millions of South Africans. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), Q1:2025, paints a dire picture: The official unemployment rate rose to 32.9%, up from 31.9% the previous quarter. A staggering 8.2 million South Africans are now unemployed, with an additional 3.5 million discouraged work-seekers. 291 000 jobs were lost in the first quarter alone – the first such Q1 contraction since 2021. This equates to more than 24,000 jobs lost each week, and almost 5 000 each workday. The proportion of young South Africans aged 15–34 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose to 45.1% in Q1:2025 — a devastating indicator that nearly half of our youth have been left without opportunity, support or a path to a better future. There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation and despite full awareness of South Africa's worsening unemployment crisis, Minister Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce. In November 2024, ActionSA asked Minister Meth whether she would resign should the country's distressing unemployment figures continue to rise. Her response was blunt and unapologetic: 'Unfortunately, I won't resign.' This laid bare a disturbing indifference to the suffering of millions of South Africans. It is an attitude that reflects the posture of an uncaring government that has grown comfortable with failure while ordinary citizens pay the price. Nearly a year into her tenure, Minister Meth has not demonstrated the urgency, capacity or leadership required to respond to this economic and social emergency. South Africa's working-age population cannot afford further stagnation under ineffective stewardship. The absence of meaningful performance management for GNU Ministers has created a culture where failure carries zero consequence. In any functional democracy, such dismal figures amid worsening socio-economic conditions would compel a Minister to take responsibility and step down. Sadly, this standard of accountability is sorely lacking in South Africa and glaringly absent in the Ramaphosa-led administrations. ActionSA believes that something has to give. Sitting on our hands while millions suffer is simply not an option. We are committed to using every available lever to ensure that South Africa's unemployment crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands. Alan Beesley MP, ActionSA Member of Parliament
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA writes to President Ramaphosa demanding dismissal of employment minister
There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation and despite full awareness of South Africa's worsening unemployment crisis, Minister Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce. ActionSA has written to President Ramaphosa, requesting that he dismiss the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, for her clear failure to arrest the deepening unemployment crisis that continues to erode hope, dignity and opportunity for millions of South Africans. In November 2024, ActionSA asked Minister Meth whether she would resign should the country's distressing unemployment figures continue to rise. Her response was blunt and unapologetic: 'Unfortunately, I won't resign.' This laid bare a disturbing indifference to the suffering of millions of South Africans. It is an attitude that reflects the posture of an uncaring government that has grown comfortable with failure while ordinary citizens pay the price. Nearly a year into her tenure, Minister Meth has not demonstrated the urgency, capacity or leadership required to respond to this economic and social emergency. South Africa's working-age population cannot afford further stagnation under ineffective stewardship. The absence of meaningful performance management for GNU Ministers has created a culture where failure carries zero consequence. In any functional democracy, such dismal figures amid worsening socio-economic conditions would compel a Minister to take responsibility and step down. Sadly, this standard of accountability is sorely lacking in South Africa and glaringly absent in the Ramaphosa-led administrations. ActionSA believes that something has to give. Sitting on our hands while millions suffer is simply not an option. We are committed to using every available lever to ensure that South Africa's unemployment crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands. Alan Beesley MP, ActionSA Member of Parliament
