President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended his retention of embattled Women’s MinisterBathabile Dlamini, saying that she was doing a “fantastic job, particularly during the 16 days of activism” against gender-based violence.
He was speaking on Thursday night during a wide-ranging interview on radio 702.
The President dismissed claims by host Xolani Gwala that Dlamini was “untouchable” saying that he could fire her if he chose to, and did not need to give any reasons why.
Dlamini was moved from being social development minister in February and took up a ministerial post at the department of women.
In September, the Constitutional Court ordered her to pay 20% percent of the legal costs related to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant payment debacle.
The court found Dlamini was “not truthful” in her submissions and a decision would need to be taken by the National Director of Public Prosecutions whether or not to charge her with perjury.
President Ramaphosa also said that he had finalised an affidavit on Thursday to oppose a Pretoria High Court application by the Democratic Alliance calling for Dlamini to be removed.
African News Agency (ANA)
