Cyril redirects Muthambi case

It was up to parliamentary committees to use their powers to sanction Cabinet ministers who fail to account to parliament, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, pictured, said yesterday.

Ramaphosa, who, as leader of government business, is responsible for ensuring ministers account to parliament, was asked if he had looked into why Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi, despite committing to appear before a parliamentary oversight committee to answer questions, failed to do so. “They [MPs] should get an explanation from the member [Muthambi] in question, so I trust that should then take place and I will be raising it as well soon,” said Ramaphosa.

He reminded MPs the constitution gave them the authority to call ministers to account and to sanction members of the executive where necessary.

EFF MP Ntombovuyo Mente was not satisfied with this answer, saying the portfolio committee on public service and administration had resolved to subpoena Muthambi and make her pay the costs of the meeting. “Guess what happened? It [the subpoena] was withdrawn from another level, so where are these powers? The subpoena has been withdrawn,” said Mente. “She has not accounted for anything and yet she remains a Cabinet member. Why is that?”

Ramaphosa insisted the committee should take action. “Such powers [to sanction ministers] does not reside with the leader of government business and this is so because this House can also sanction me…”

Asked if he would recommend Muthambi’s axing, Ramaphosa said it was not in the scope of his job. “The deputy president does not appoint members of the executive, so I cannot do that. I cannot even venture into the direction you are suggesting… to recommend or not recommend.”

Muthambi was found to be incompetent by MPs carrying out a parliamentary inquiry into the SABC when she was communications minister. They recommended President Jacob Zuma consider dismissing her. In her latest portfolio, reports have surfaced that she flew family and friends to Cape Town for her budget speech at a cost of over R300 000 to the taxpayer.

Ramaphosa also told MPs he would take them and other South Africans into his confidence on “matters of a personal nature”, referring to media reports purportedly showing he has had several extra-marital affairs. – ANA