Ramaphosa’s indecision on Simelane raises questions

NKOSIKHULULE NYEMBEZI

More time” is a vague assurance or aspiration, not a definition.

How many will suffer human rights violations in South Africa by the time President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appeal for “more time” to decide how – or whether – to act against Justice Minister Thembi Simelane over her dodgy R575 000 VBS-linked loan to buy a coffee shop is over?

On October 1, Vincent Magwenya, the presidency spokesperson, unconvincingly explained Ramaphosa’s appeal for “more time”, noting that the president had a full schedule since receiving a report on the issue more than a fortnight ago, including addressing the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

He added that the decision involves potential consequences for the composition of the Cabinet as “in the process of applying his mind, the president is not looking at a single issue alone”, yet “people are only looking at one element: does he take disciplinary steps or not?”.

Instead of speeding up the process, the Presidency justifies the delays by recklessly playing in a divisive political space it should have averted.

“The President may want to consult his party over this matter, particularly the leadership of the party”, said Magwenya, adding that “there is no deadline for him to conclude this matter.

He needs to apply his mind properly”. Initially, Ramaphosa’s “more time” appeals on the Simelane matter appeared to be on a smaller scale than anticipated. But, the impact will extend beyond the Cabinet reshuffle he frets about. He must think of factors much broader than that narrow scope, notwithstanding that it took a lot of effort to constitute a politically and gender-balanced Cabinet.

This year is a new and dangerous moment for the ANC and the unity government. Yet, it is grimly reminiscent of the sixth administration under Ramaphosa. He appears to have no long-term plan and no clear strategy for reconstituting his Cabinet at any time, under any circumstances.

The president’s dithering only paves the way for more divisions in the ANC, the unity government, and the nation. He appears to be aiming to do just enough to win him another day in office until the end of his second and last five-year term.

Striving for balance in the Cabinet does not absolve the president of his constitutional obligations and oath of office. Whenever the president used the term “more time” during the sixth administration, the outcome then was the devastation of unchecked abuse of power seen across the country.

The Presidency’s arguments hanker for a narrow party interest-driven state of affairs and a meaner accountability environment indifferent to its changing social and political complexion.

The Presidency may be playing to the gallery, hoping to pick up enough public control to get into a run-off when ANC leaders get the final say.

But this is limiting the party’s appeal. The future success of any ANC-led government lies in what is new.

Innovative ideas and decisive actions for change ought to be judged in terms of their plausibility and persuasiveness for the betterment of the nation, not for whether they draw reactionary applause for delaying and evasive tactics to hold power.

As night fell on October 2, Simelane had already faced the Integrity Commission of the ANC, and the structure will now report to the party’s top 7, its most senior office bearers.

Without a plausible explanation for Ramaphosa’s dithering in making executive decisions, there is no justification for allowing more time to this crisis – just a dangerous, fast-growing, open-ended, credibility-eroding conflict. While a minister of justice does not make prosecutorial decisions or legal findings as the NPA and judges do, it is a position that still holds immense political power.

The president underestimates the public’s post-election tack towards transparency and accountability in government. The country is looking for politicians with the courage and the right ideas to widen horizons. We are yet to confirm their existence in the current leadership.

* Nyembezi is a researcher, policy analyst and human rights activist

Cape Times