DA's Andrew Whitfield ousted by President Cyril Ramaphosa
Axed
DA deputy minister of Trade, Andrew Whitfield has been dismissed with immediate effect.
Image: DTIC
The Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has shown DA deputy minister of Trade, Andrew Whitfield, the door with immediate effect from his bloated Cabinet.
“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, Industry and Competition.
“However, the President has not indicated any intention to conduct a wholesale cabinet reshuffle.”
This follows reports that Whitfield is among those who have already received a letter from the president thanking them for their service, effectively ending their tenure in the executive.
The reported reshuffle is believed to have been triggered by controversy involving Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, who has come under fire over the contentious appointment of chairs to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards.
Earlier, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni dodged confirming whether Ramaphosa is planning a Cabinet reshuffle.
“The decision to appoint, or disappoint, or to remove or reshuffle ministers and deputy ministers - is the sole prerogative of the president,” she said.
“He (referring to Ramaphosa) exercises that without consulting anyone.”
Meanwhile, the DA, which has been at loggerheads with the ANC leading the Government of National Unity, holds 12 posts in the Cabinet.
The blue party has six Cabinet ministers, as well as six deputy ministers.
It remains unclear who will replace Whitfield should Ramaphosa officially remove him from the executive.
DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille announced she had convened an urgent meeting of the DA’s federal executive yesterday.
“I have convened an urgent meeting of the DA’s Federal Executive, following the actions of President Cyril Ramaphosa around the composition of the National Executive of the Government of National Unity,” Zille said.