OUTA says concerned that some ministers retained in reshuffle

“The retention and repositioning of minister Malusi Gigaba, a key architect of state capture, along with Bathabile Dlamini and Nomvula Mokonyane, both strongly implicated in corruption and mismanagement of crucial resources, remain of concern to OUTA,” it said. “These three people grossly underperformed in their previous portfolios and their conduct has been extremely damaging to South Africa.”

“It is clear that President Ramaphosa had to make some serious concessions in his new Cabinet, however, we remain hopeful that this is a Cabinet that will enhance and stimulate the economy,” OUTA chief operation officer Ben Theron said.

Last year, OUTA filed charges against Gigaba, who has been shifted from the finance ministry to home affairs, over his role in “state capture”, namely by the wealthy Gupta family, personal friends of former president Jacob Zuma accused of wielding undue influence on the government and state companies. Both the Gupta’s and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing.

On Tuesday, the lobby group said the appointment of David Mabuza as the deputy president was of serious concern.

“There are far too many questions related to David Mabuza’s past conduct while he was Mpumalanga premier. This is a key position and if the president is unavailable for any reason, Mabuza will be at the helm,” it said.

OUTA said the challenges facing the new cabinet were formidable as the ministers had to start undoing the damage caused during the Zuma era.

– African News Agency (ANA)