OPINION: Why Ramaphosa had to delay appointing his new Cabinet
The delay in the appointment of the new Cabinet after the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 May 2019 reflects the impact of two institutions: first, the governing ANC integrity commission, and secondly, the public protector.The public protector’s responsibility provides oversight over the government. It’s empowered to “investigate, report on and remedy improper conduct” by all state organs.
Since the inauguration, and until the members of a new Cabinet are sworn in, South Africa is without a Cabinet. For this period, Ramaphosa is the only member of the Executive. Not even the deputy president is available. But it’s silent on the Cabinet. Theoretically, at least, this means that the president can continue without a Cabinet for an unspecified period.
Ramaphosa couldn’t appoint people with a cloud over their heads, especially given his stated commitment to a clean and effective government.The ANC’s integrity commission was established under the party’s constitution. Any member accused of unethical or immoral conduct that can bring the ANC into disrepute can be referred to the commission by the party’s top six officials as well as its national executive committee .
The integrity commission could potentially develop into a powerful organisational instrument in Ramaphosa’s drive against corruption, and to renew the ANC.The public protector is one of the institutions established by the Constitution to support and protect South Africa’s constitutional democracy. The office of the Public Protector has the potential to be another indispensable instrument in Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption arsenal. He cannot, therefore, undermine it by ignoring a decision it has taken.The seriousness of these considerations – and their dire impact on the executive – shows how respectful Ramaphosa is of these anti-corruption institutions.
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