With great relief OUTA released a statement saying Dlamini came into OUTA’s “cross hairs” during her fateful tenure as Social Development Minister, which saw her defy a constitutional court order to stop the controversial Cash Pay Master (CPS) contract.
At the time OUTA expressed its concern about a number of MP’s on the ANC list, including Dlamini, who the organisation believes are unfit for Parliament.
Dlamini’s resignation follows that of seven other ANC members of Parliament including Jeff Radebe who was appointed Minister of Energy and who has been one of the longest serving cabinet ministers since democracy. It was Radebe who approved the e-Toll decision whilst Minister of Transport in 2008, without meaningfully applying his mind to the decision at the time.
Wrongdoing while in positions of power
“There appears to be an attempt by the ANC to clean up its public image and whatever their reason, we welcome Dlamini’s resignation from office,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.
“We strongly urge the ANC’s internal ethics committee and the judicial system to continue investigating these Ministers for their part in any wrongdoing while in positions of power.”
In September last year, the constitutional court found Dlamini misled the court when she withheld information on her role in the appointment of workstreams that ran parallel processes to that of SASSA, putting millions of social grant payments in jeopardy . Her resignation letter highlights her lack of accountability and her refusal to acknowledge the affects her incompetence has had on the problems and additional costs encountered by her department at the time.
While these resignations appear to be a step in the right direction, OUTA will continue to monitor the developments in Parliament and will apply pressure to ensure all corrupt officials are removed from office.
