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Government has noted with concern remarks made by Dr Charles Sinkala, during a recent television interview on SABC, in which he incorrectly claimed that Section 89 of the Constitution of South Africa was responsible for the decline or “killing” of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

Section 89 of the Constitution specifically provides for the removal of the President by the National Assembly under defined circumstances and it does not relate to the governance, administration, or operational management of State-Owned Enterprises.

Government wish to inform that several State-Owned Enterprises continue to play a critical role in economic growth, infrastructure development, service delivery, and national development. A number of SOEs have demonstrated resilience, improved governance, financial recovery, and operational progress despite existing challenges. It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Constitution or Section 89 is responsible for the performance of SOEs.

It is therefore important to correct this wrong assumption  and prevent the spread of misinformation. Public commentary on constitutional matters carries significant responsibility and should be grounded in factual and accurate interpretation of the law.

Government remains committed to promoting informed public engagement, constitutional literacy, and constructive national dialogue. Government further urges all public commentators, analysts, and media platforms to exercise due diligence when discussing matters of constitutional interpretation and governance in order to avoid misleading the public.

Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)