Opposition parties have strongly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to reshuffle embattled Minister Thembi Simelane from the Justice and Constitutional Development portfolio to the Human Settlements portfolio. This reshuffling comes at a time when Simelane is embroiled in accusations related to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, where she allegedly benefited from unlawful investments involving municipal funds. In the reshuffle, Simelane is swapped with Mamoloko Kubayi, who now assumes the role of Minister of Justice.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), led by John Steenhuisen, condemned Ramaphosa’s decision, calling it “short-sighted and disrespectful to South Africa.” Steenhuisen expressed that while the President acknowledged Simelane’s conflict of interest in the Justice department, her redeployment to Human Settlements fails to address the core issue of corruption allegations. He stressed that the department, responsible for critical housing initiatives, should be led by someone with a credible reputation, not an individual under investigation.
ActionSA also rejected the reshuffle, with its parliamentary leader, Atholl Trollip, accusing Ramaphosa of evading true accountability. Trollip argued that if Simelane was deemed unsuitable to lead the Justice portfolio due to corruption allegations, she should not be entrusted with a vital ministry like Human Settlements, overseeing billions in public funds. He added that the President’s continued lack of action highlights his unwillingness to confront corruption in his Cabinet, further weakening the integrity of his leadership.
In the reshuffle, Ramaphosa also appointed Phumzile Mgcina as deputy minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala as the new deputy minister of Employment and Labour, as he navigates the challenging terrain of Cabinet restructuring amid ongoing public scrutiny.
