Ramaphosa defends bloated GNU executive, says deputies are going nowhere

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected calls to downsize his executive team, which consists of 77 members, including 43 deputy ministers.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Ramaphosa maintained that deputy ministers add value to the work of the government. He was responding to EFF MP Omphile Maotwe when she asked in parliamentary questions whether the positions of deputy ministers are necessary amid the prevailing financial pressures the country faced and whether he intends to reduce and/or eliminate the deputy minister positions.

In his written response, Ramaphosa said deputy ministers have played an important role in assisting ministers in the performance of their functions and responsibilities since the advent of democracy in 1994.

“In portfolios with a wide range of responsibilities, deputy ministers are given responsibility for certain areas of work in terms of departments’ annual performance plans, ensuring that there is consistent political attention and oversight”

He also said when he announced the executive - consisting of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, 32 ministers, and 43 deputy ministers - after the May 2024 elections, it was not possible to reduce the number of portfolios in the Cabinet.