Ramaphosa clarify why Andrew Whitfield was fired as Deputy Minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out for the first time after he fired Democratic Alliance's Andrew Whitfield as the Deputy Minister of Trade,Industry and Competition two days ago. 

President Ramaphosa has clarified that the removal of Whitfield was in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which gives him power to do so if someone who is member of executive embark on international without President's approval.

"On 25 June 2025,I removed Mr Andrew Whitfield from the position of Deputy Minister of Trade,Industry and Competition in terms of section 93(1) of the Constitution.

"It is not common practice for the President of the Republic of South Africa to provide reasons either for the appointment or dismissal of Members of the Executive.However,due to several unfortunate statements and outright distortions by a number of people, especially Mr John Steenhuisen and Mr Whitfield himself,it is necessary for me to make a public statement on the circumstances surrounding Mr Whitfield's removal.

Mr Whitfield was removed as a Deputy Minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the President,"said President Ramaphosa.

He also clarified that the members of his cabinet were briefed more than once about the rules and practices that serve as guidelines of the international travel for the members of the executive,and Whitfield deliberately violated them.

"His travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive.This requirement is known to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers.These rules and established practices were expressly communicated to all members of the Executive during the induction sessions at the commencement of the 7th administration.

"These rules and practices were repeated in Cabinet in March this year by me as President.All international travel by members of the executive must always be undertaken with the express permission of the President.

This practice is rigorously observed and adhered to by all members of the Executive.However,Mr Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule and practice,"he added.

The President explained that he informed the leader of the Democratic Alliance about his decision to remove Andrew Whitfield and asked for the replacement as per their agreement in the Government of National Unity(GNU) and was told by Steenhuisen that even Whitfield was expecting his dismissal.

"Prior to the removal of Mr Whitfield,I informed Minister John Steenhuisen as the leader of Democratic Alliance that I had decided to remove Mr Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister and that I expect him to present to me for approval a replacement for Mr Whitfield from his party as the DA is entitled to a Deputy Minister as agreed.

"In that discussion,Mr Steenhuisen informed me that Mr Whitfield had been expecting that he may be dismissed on the grounds that he had undertaken an international trip without the President's permission.

This expectation,along with a perfunctory letter of apology that Mr Whitfield wrote to me following his travel to the USA without the required permission,indicated that he was aware that his actions had violated the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive,"continued President Ramaphosa.

The President mentioned that he told Steenhuisen that even President Mandela and President Mbeki removed members of the Executive which acted like Whitfield.

"During my discussion with Mr Steenhuisen,he asked me if there was precedent for the action that I intended to take in relation to Mr Whitfield.I informed him that there was indeed prior precedent.

I told him that in 1995,President Nelson Mandela dismissed the late Deputy Minister Madikizela-Mandela and that in 2007 President Thabo Mbeki dismissed then Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge on the grounds of undertaking international travel without permission,"the President said.