Congress of the People (COPE) is disappointed by the fact that former cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister, Sicelo Shiceka and ex-public works minister, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde are still members of Parliament despite being axed from their ministerial portfolios due to corruption related matters.
We demand to know from the President of the republic, Mr Jacob Zuma, why the two axed ministers continue to benefit from the government coffers when they have betrayed government through their dubious means.

COPE wants to find out what steps are being taken by the President to recover the huge amounts of money squandered by Mr Shiceka when he visited his girlfriend in a Switzerland prison and during his stay in luxury hotels in the country and elsewhere. The president owes tax payers an explanation regarding how much the former Public Works Minister; Ms. Mahlangu-Nkabinde caused the state in her controversial lease agreements deals. And what steps are taken to recover the monies?

The ruling party should be ashamed to be retaining within its ranks, individuals who betrayed public confidence and voter trust by unswerving violating their oath of office. The existence of the two as members of parliament demonstrates the President’s unwillingness to act against those who are aligned to him.

COPE believes the public needs assurances by President Zuma that government is serious about rooting out corrupt elements within its ranks. We therefore call on the President to release the two former ministers from their duties as MP’s.