Image Source: East Coast Radio
Local – Following the removal of Andrew Whitfield from office, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the reason was that he undertook an international visit without the President’s permission.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said Whitfield had travelled to the United States without seeking or receiving the necessary authorisation. The President made it clear that this was not a minor oversight but a serious breach of the rules that govern how members of the Executive conduct themselves.
“Mr Whitfield was removed as a Deputy Minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the President,” he said. “His travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive.”
Ramaphosa explained that these protocols were well known, having been formally communicated to all ministers and deputy ministers during the induction of the 7th administration. They were later repeated in Cabinet in March 2025.
“All international travel by members of the executive must always be undertaken with the express permission of the President,” he said. “This practice is rigorously observed and adhered to by all members of the Executive. However, Mr Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule and practice.”
DA’s Reaction Dismissed as Political Grandstanding
The President also addressed the public reaction from DA leader John Steenhuisen, who he said had been informed in advance of Whitfield’s dismissal and asked to nominate a replacement.
Ramaphosa said Steenhuisen confirmed Whitfield had anticipated the outcome and had even submitted “a perfunctory letter of apology” after the unauthorised trip. Despite this, Steenhuisen went on to publicly question the President’s decision and link it to unrelated matters.
Ramaphosa pushed back firmly. “Given all these circumstances, there is consequently no reasonable grounds for Mr Steenhuisen and the Democratic Alliance to issue ultimatums and threats when the President exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility.”
He also reminded Steenhuisen that there was precedent. “I told him that in 1995, President Nelson Mandela dismissed the late Deputy Minister Madikizela-Mandela and that in 2007, President Thabo Mbeki dismissed then Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge on the grounds of undertaking international travel without permission.”
The President described Steenhuisen’s response as “intemperate” and warned that political threats would not influence executive decisions.
“Let it be clear that the President shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the Executive that he has the prerogative to appoint.”
