President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Andrew Whitfield from his job as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition on Thursday. Whitfield belongs to the Democratic Alliance party. The presidency confirmed the removal but gave no reasons for the decision. Whitfield said only the president could explain the firing. The president thanked Whitfield for his service.
The Democratic Alliance called the firing very serious. Party spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the Federal Executive would meet about the matter. The party plans to share its position after the meeting. Government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya refused to explain the president's choice. He said he knew of no larger cabinet changes.
The removal may stem from problems with Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's board appointments. Nkabane picked several ANC allies to lead training authority boards last month. The choices caused anger among lawmakers who demanded answers in Parliament. She later withdrew the appointments after public complaints. Ramaphosa asked her to report on her actions.
The ANC and DA have disagreed on many issues since forming their coalition government. These disputes cover employment laws, health insurance, land seizure rules and education changes. Some ANC members want action against the DA for opposing party positions. The coalition partners argued about executive positions based on vote shares before forming the government.
Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said appointment decisions belong only to the president. She could not answer questions about cabinet changes at Thursday's press conference. The constitution gives the president sole power over minister appointments and removals.
The Democratic Alliance called the firing very serious. Party spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the Federal Executive would meet about the matter. The party plans to share its position after the meeting. Government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya refused to explain the president's choice. He said he knew of no larger cabinet changes.
The removal may stem from problems with Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's board appointments. Nkabane picked several ANC allies to lead training authority boards last month. The choices caused anger among lawmakers who demanded answers in Parliament. She later withdrew the appointments after public complaints. Ramaphosa asked her to report on her actions.
The ANC and DA have disagreed on many issues since forming their coalition government. These disputes cover employment laws, health insurance, land seizure rules and education changes. Some ANC members want action against the DA for opposing party positions. The coalition partners argued about executive positions based on vote shares before forming the government.
Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said appointment decisions belong only to the president. She could not answer questions about cabinet changes at Thursday's press conference. The constitution gives the president sole power over minister appointments and removals.
