Ministers retain benefits on resignation

The prompt resignations as MPs of two ministers and a deputy minister fired in last week’s cabinet reshuffle may have been driven by self-preservation — they will now retain their pension benefits as former members of the executive.

Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Mcebisi Jonas and Dipuo Peters have quit as MPs and the ANC is allowed to fill their seats ahead of the motion of no confidence debate against President Jacob Zuma in two weeks.

The three have been criticised for not holding out until the special sitting of the National Assembly on April 18 at which a motion of no confidence against Zuma tabled by the EFF, United Democratic Movement and DA will be debated.

Peters told Business Day that a minister who left a portfolio and became gainfully employed elsewhere, must move their pension to another fund. Those who were over 65 were entitled to take their pension, she said.

“You can determine when you get it. When you resign, you take it to another fund.

“As an MP, you don’t lose your pension fund but add to it. If you will be gainfully employed elsewhere, you can move it, but you will not lose it,” said Peters.

Peters conceded ministers and some deputies might have resigned to protect their ministerial pensions, but said she could not speak for others. Her health had compelled her to take out her pension benefit.

Parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo told Business Day that once a minister or a deputy minister assumed such a position, their pension was administered under a different system to that of MPs.

“The pension you are referring to belongs to the executive and is managed at that level. If they become ordinary MPs, they have to convert to one managed by Parliament,” said Mothapo.

Peters, Joemat-Pettersson and Jonas were all fired in the late-night cabinet reshuffle that has sparked renewed calls for the president to resign as head of state.