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The South African Communist Party (SACP) welcomes the removal of the minister of social development as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

In the context of the conduct associated with the minister over the previous weeks, it is clear that her removal was overdue. It is concerning that a minister whose actions clearly brought her, the ANC, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) and the entire movement into disrepute was not dismissed and replaced expeditiously by the president. The question on the table for the former minister is not one concerning the legal status of her actions but is a moral imperative. On the basis of the moral substance of her actions, a decision to recuse her from her position of deployment should have been taken earlier. 

The former minister’s apparent exploitation of her position to benefit her family is incompatible with the leadership and ethical standard that the ANC professes to expect of those that act in its name or represent its objectives. Further, her alleged exploitation and abuse of a worker, including the denial of their full compensation in line with the labour laws of the Republic, are not only objectionable but also reflect a person with a sense of entitlement to the unpaid labour of others.

Our movement has for more than a century conducted a struggle for the defence of the dignity of the people and categorised the working class as the primary driver and beneficiary of the fruits of the revolutionary struggle. It is unjustifiable for a national executive committee member of the movement and president of one of its leagues to exploit the unfavourable economic conditions of a worker. It is a moral crisis of great proportions that symbolises the extent and depth of greed and corruption among some leaders, and, specifically, the greed of the former minister herself. The former minister was deployed to a department which handles the welfare of the most downtrodden sections of the working class. She was supposed to act in accordance with the core objectives of the department.

We call on all appropriate role players in government to undertake appropriate actions regarding the abuse of the affected domestic worker, including their suitable compensation and other remedies. We call for a full investigation into possible misconduct and illegal actions regarding the cars reportedly donated to the ANCWL and later appropriated by the former minister. This includes disciplinary processes in line with the constitution of the ANC so as to put these issues to rest and ensure full accountability. Any action less than this will only worsen this crisis.

Issued by South African Communist Party