There are DIFFERENT views on the ActionSA group’s proposal in Parliament, to reduce the number of ministers in the Cabinet, by eliminating the positions of deputy ministers.
This group wants the Parliament to be given the power to take action against ministers who fail if the president of the country is dragging his feet. Parliament recently tabled this proposal under the BillTwenty-third Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aims to review the country’s Constitution.
Mr. Athol Trollip of ActionSA, said that there is no need for deputy ministers because they are like people who do nothing. He said they are wasting tax payers’ money and he said this wastes R1.5 billion, annually.
“We have to ask ourselves what is the job of the deputy ministers? If the ministers are not there, they cannot take charge of the department,” he said.
One of the aims of the Bill is to reject by vote the ministers who are absent and to examine the ministers in detail before they are appointed to the positions. Trollip complained about the size of the Cabinet with 76 people, 33 ministers and their 43 deputies.
“Deputy ministers are like people who warm seats. They are useless. The president has been given the power to remove ministers, but if he does not do this, Parliament must intervene.”
U-Advocate DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach said there are principles they support in the Bill.
“Some of the policies worry us. Empowering the Parliament will change the food on the plate.”
Mr. Oscar Mathafa of the ANC, rejected the idea that deputy ministers are useless.
“This Bill is where the problem comes in matters affecting the appointment of ministers. The power to appoint ministers and their deputies rests with the president,” he said.
Mr. Mzwanele Manyi of MKP, said that he supports the proposal to reject the no confidence vote in the leadership of the minister.
“No minister should be said to be untouched if the president does not take action against him. There were no deputy ministers who attended Cabinet meetings to ensure stability in the departments.”
Ms Mathibe Mohlala of the EFF, said they support the abolition of deputy ministers.
“There is no need for them because an acting minister has been appointed after the suspension of the Minister of Police while there is a deputy minister. We do not agree with the proposal to be dismissed by a vote of the ministers.”
IPatriotic Alliance and UDM do not support this Bill.