On Tuesday,President Cyril Ramaphosa has reshuffled his Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development,Ms Thembi Nkadimeng linked to VBS looting scandal.
The VBS dark cloud that is hanging over the head of Ms Nkadimeng has forced President Ramaphosa to remove her from the justice portfolio to shield himself and her from ongoing criticism.
President Ramaphosa has decided to deploy Ms Nkadimeng to a new portfolio as Minister of Human Settlements with immediate effect.
Ramaphosa swapped Ms Nkadimeng with Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi who was working as a Minister of Human Settlements for the past six months.
Ramaphosa has assigned Ms Phumzile Mgcina to a new post as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources before this new assignment she was Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.
Ramaphosa also announced that Ms Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala is appointed as new Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour,and before this appointment she was serving as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) is totally unhappy with the changes made by President Ramaphosa with the aim of protecting corrupt ministers which are part of his Government of National Unity(GNU) cabinet.
"The appointment of individuals with dark clouds hanging over them,such as Thembi Simelane,despite unresolved allegations of corruption linked to VBS Bank,is a clear indication that this reshuffle is not about service delivery or good governance.The DA-ANC government continues to recycle compromised leaders,using these reshuffles to shield corrupt officials and create an illusion of accountability.
It is shameful that Simelane's questionable personal loan and connections to looted funds have not disqualified her from leadership.This government has no moral compass.The people of South Africa are subjected to constant betrayals,while those accused of plundering public resources are rewarded with new roles,"said Leigh-Ann Mathys,EFF National Spokesperson.
RISE Mzansi has followed on the footsteps of other political parties to expressed its disappointment with the latest decision of President Ramaphosa pertaining the redeployment of Ms Thembi Nkadimeng to a new ministry while she is accused of corruption.
Rise Mzansi is fuming that President Ramaphosa has ignored Section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which does not tolerate any wrongdoing involves members of cabinet.
The Leader of Rise Mzansi,Songezo Zibi has promised that the matter of Ms Nkadimeng will be discussed during a GNU Clearing House meeting on Friday.
Zibi said in this regard,the President need not wait for the outcome of any legal processes in order to act in the interest of the State and the people of South Africa.What we now know about Minister Simelane's financial dealings while Executive Mayor of Polokwane,which she has failed to adequately explain,is cause for serious concern in the context of current attempts to restore the confidence of the South African people in government.
Zibi added that in any event,had Minister Simelane cared sufficiently about protecting the people's trust in government,she would already have stepped down,but it appears she doesn't.In the circumstance,the President should have used his executive power to remove her altogether,and his failure to do so undermines any talk of clean government,where executive members are held to high ethical standards.This is particularly pertinent given fresh details that continue to emerge in the media.