President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent decision to redeploy his beleaguered Justice Minister, Thembi Simelane, to the human settlements portfolio is emblematic of the troubling status quo within his administration.
Announced on Tuesday, this mini-Cabinet reshuffle not only raises questions about the integrity of Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption agenda but also reveals a glaring inconsistency in how political accountability is applied.
Simelane is accused of receiving a R500000 “loan” from Gundo Wealth Solutions, which facilitated unlawful investments by the Polokwane local municipality in the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank in 2016, while she was mayor of the city.
While it is commendable that Ramaphosa has finally removed Simelane from the Justice Ministry – a department that has faced significant criticism under her leadership – this move appears more like a tactical retreat than a genuine pursuit of accountability. By choosing to keep her within the Cabinet, Ramaphosa inadvertently creates the perception that Simelane is being politically shielded by the highest office in the land. It suggests a tacit endorsement of her performance, undermining the very principles of governance that the president claims to uphold.
One must question why Ramaphosa has, time and again, hesitated to take decisive action against Simelane, especially when his administration has been marketed on the pillars of integrity and anti-corruption.
If Ramaphosa is truly committed to eradicating corruption, then why does he allow a Cabinet member embroiled in controversy to maintain her position? The answer appears simple yet unsettling: political protection for allies seems to trump the principles of transparency and responsibility within the ANC.
This Cabinet reshuffle sends a dangerous message – that the ANC is willing to tolerate allegations of corruption if it involves individuals in close proximity to power.
This selective approach to accountability risks eroding public trust in the president and the party, prompting citizens to ask who truly holds power and whether the law is truly applicable to those in positions of privilege.
THE MERCURY