Dipuo Peters quits as ANC MP

Former transport minister Dipuo Peters has resigned as an MP, following her axing as a Cabinet minister by President Jacob Zuma in a major reshuffle last week.

In a very brief statement, parliament announced her resignation, effective from the end of last month.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said Peters’ dedication would be remembered.

“Comrade Peters has served the movement and the people of South Africa in various capacities over the years with absolute distinction.

“On behalf of the ANC in parliament, we thank comrade Peters for her selfless service and dedication to the movement as its public representative,” he said, adding the ANC caucus wished her well in her future endeavours.

Peters took to Facebook to comment on her decision and thanked God for family and the opportunity to serve the ANC in various positions for almost 24 years, including a stint as premier of the Northern Cape.

“I never embarrassed God, my family and the movement, as well as you my beloved fellow countrymen and women.

“It is true we are deployed by the ANC in parliament/legislatures and serve in the executive on the invitation of the president. Thank you ANC and the president for affording me a rare opportunity among many to contribute to advancing the mandate of the organisation.”

She later told radio station PowerFM98.7 her decision related to health issues.

She first entered the parliamentary sphere as an MP in 1994 and later on she took up positions in the energy and transport Cabinet portfolios.

Political analyst Daniel Silke said he didn’t foresee any more major resignations from ousted ministers.

But some might use the opportunity to retire, considering the political landscape.

“I don’t think this is part of any major trend. I think most of them will sit tight until the ANC electoral conference in eight months’ time.

“There might be some isolated cases where they retire to avoid deeper divisions in the ANC and the ill-feeling that is currently in the ANC,” he said.

One of the legacies Peters leaves behind is her uncompromising stance on e-tolls. She has been unequivocal in her position that motorists in Gauteng had to accept that the tolling of highways in the province was a policy that had to be adhered to.

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