The appointment of Dina Pule as Minister of Social Development has sparked criticism from opposition parties, labour groups and civil society organisations.
Pule was dismissed as communications minister by former president Jacob Zuma in 2013 after Parliament’s Ethics Committee found that she had concealed her relationship with businessman Phosane Mngqibisa, who allegedly benefited from state-funded events and overseas trips linked to her department.
A subsequent report by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that Pule had acted unlawfully and unethically and had “persistently” misled Parliament and investigators during the probe.
The DA’s spokesperson on Social Development, Nazley Sharif, condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “shock decision” to bring Pule back into Cabinet.
Sharif argues that the Social Development portfolio “demands a Minister of impeccable credentials – not one found to have previously betrayed her oath of office and to have brought Parliament into disrepute.”
Trade union federation COSATU also voiced concern, saying: “The appointment of the new Minister for Social Development, Dina Pule, is extremely worrying given the dark clouds under which she was previously removed as a Minister.”
COSATU added that “persons appointed to Cabinet need to be of the highest integrity” and said the appointment creates “an unnecessary and unhelpful distraction to government’s efforts to cleanse itself after the devastating decade of state capture and corruption.”
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation described the appointment as “absolute dismay”, arguing that South Africa “cannot build a capable, ethical, and developmental state by recycling individuals whose public records are severely tarnished by corruption, nepotism, and dishonesty.”
The foundation further criticised the decision to place someone previously found guilty of compromising her oath of office in charge of a department responsible for social grants paid to millions of vulnerable South Africans.
Anti-corruption organisation Corruption Watch also questioned the appointment. Executive director Lebo Ramafoko said: “It is a slap in the face of everyone advocating for just and accountable governance for the president to choose someone who had been embroiled in corruption at the last ministry she headed to be the new minister for social development.”
Ramafoko added: “The social development environment, with its large budgets, high transaction volumes, and vulnerable beneficiaries, demands a minister with an unimpeachable record of integrity and transparency. Pule is not that minister.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Development has welcomed Pule’s appointment.
“The department extends its heartfelt congratulations to Minister Pule on her appointment and looks forward to her leadership as the department continues to advance South Africa’s social development agenda, strengthen social protection, and improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, families and communities,” the department said.
Pule’s appointment forms part of Ramaphosa’s latest Cabinet reshuffle, announced this week.
