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Since the African National Congress polled 40% in the 2024 elections, many familiar and senior faces have disappeared from the parliamentary benches.
We already know that the corruption-accused Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa resigned on Wednesday, 5 June. The minister’s departure comes as he faces corruption charges involving R1.7 million in bribes from the director of Tactical Software Systems (TSS) Jehan Mackay to influence tenders that his companies were involved in.
But that is not where the ANC haemorrhaging ends, per The Daily Maverick, noting that Police Minister Bheki Cele is out, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor is out, Defence Minister Thandi Modise is out, and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu is also out.
We’re saying it louder for those at the back, these shoddy ANC cadres are finally OUT.
According to the seat allocations released by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), all are on the ANC’s national list after spot 73, the last to make it to Parliament on the national ballot, while the rest of the ANC’s 159 seats in the National Assembly are the 86 obtained through the regional ballot, determined on the strength of performance.
Because the ANC polled 40.1% in the 2024 elections, Cele at spot 79 didn’t make the cut. Pandor at spot 86 needed the ANC to get around 46% to be an MP, as did Modise who’s in spot 83. Repeat-appointed cooperative governance deputy minister Parks Tau, who served two stints, just missed the cut at 74.
Cele has been the South African Minister of Police since February 2018, before which he was the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He was also the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service for two years until misconduct allegations led to his suspension in October 2011.
Putting it plainly, Cele has run an ineffective police service during his reign. With crime ranked only second to unemployment as the biggest issue that the government must address, it is everyone’s hope that the newly elected South African president will appoint a minister of police who can do the job properly.
Meanwhile, Saffas are happily saying Bye Bye Bheki:
Now it’s time South Africa to have a honorable Minister of police who will deal decisively with crime
— Thamsanqa Bhengu (@ThamiGxamalazaa) June 5, 2024
Bheki Cele is no longer the Minister of Police? this calls for a celebration.
— . (@_ShaunKeyz) June 5, 2024
If the ANC gets a chance to form a government in the current coalition talks, national unity governments, or confidence and supply agreements, President Cyril Ramaphosa (if he’s re-elected) is going to have a tough time picking his cabinet. That’s because the Constitution only allows for two ministers to be chosen from outside the National Assembly.
Whatever happens, a process of reform and serious strengthening of SAPS for the future is necessary.
[source:dailymaverick]
