President Cyril Ramaphosa’s late-night cabinet reshuffle, axing Thembi Simelane as Justice Minister, has ignited widespread criticism, with opposition parties questioning the motives and impact of the changes.
The reshuffle announced on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, included the appointment of Simelane as Minister of Human Settlements, swapping roles with Mamoloko Kubayi who takes over as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Other notable changes included Phumzile Mgcina taking over as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala becoming Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour.
The reshuffle coincides with the announcement that the Public Protector will investigate allegations against Simelane.
The inquiry follows a complaint lodged by ActionSA in August, accusing Simelane of corruption linked to the collapse of VBS Mutual Bank.
The allegations include claims that she received a R575,600 “loan” from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company implicated in the scandal, during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane.
Recent reports have also raised questions about her allegedly extravagant lifestyle, which critics argue exceeds her financial means.
ActionSA: “A Cowardly Deflection of Accountability”
ActionSA welcomed the Public Protector’s investigation but criticized the President’s decision to redeploy Simelane, accusing him of shielding her from accountability.
“This is a cowardly attempt to deflect accountability from her compromised leadership,” ActionSA’s Athol Trollip said in a statement.
The party argued that Simelane’s new role in the Human Settlements portfolio, which oversees billions of rands and addresses South Africa’s housing crisis, is particularly concerning given the unresolved allegations against her.
“No individual facing allegations of corruption or lacking integrity should be allowed to serve in Cabinet.”
DA: “Simelane Does Not Belong in Cabinet”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) echoed similar sentiments, with its justice spokesperson, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, calling for Simelane’s complete removal from Cabinet.
“The appointment of individuals with dark clouds hanging over them is a clear indication that this reshuffle is not about service delivery or good governance.”
She criticized the President’s decision as “short-sighted and disrespectful to South Africa.”
The DA welcomed the Public Protector’s investigation as overdue and necessary but argued that the President’s actions undermine the fight against corruption.
EFF: “Pointless Musical Chairs”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described the reshuffle as a “pointless exercise” that fails to address the systemic issues facing the country.
“The DA-ANC coalition government continues to recycle compromised leaders, using these reshuffles to shield corrupt officials and create an illusion of accountability,” the EFF said.
The party criticized the inclusion of Simelane, stating that unresolved allegations of corruption should have disqualified her from Cabinet entirely.
The EFF also reiterated its view that deputy ministerial positions serve no purpose other than to reward political loyalty. “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,” the party said.
Public Protector Investigation Underway
The Public Protector’s office confirmed its investigation into the allegations against Simelane. The inquiry was initially delayed due to procedural concerns, but ActionSA’s persistence has pushed the matter forward.
The investigation will examine Simelane’s financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane and beyond.
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