OUTA repeats call to dismiss Minister Mapisa-Nqakula

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) takes note of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s action against Minister Mapisa-Nqakula’s for taking an ANC delegation to Zimbabwe on a South African Air Force (SAAF) jet. However, OUTA believes the president’s sanction to dock three months of her salary is insufficient when taking other factors into account. We also question the fact that she was put in charge of ensuring that the ANC pays back the money for the flight.  

“What makes matters worse, is that this Minister has acted out of line in a similar manner in the past, when in 2014 she allowed a military aircraft to be used to transport her late son’s acquaintance (Ms Michelle Wege) from the DRC to South Africa,” says Advocate Stefanie Fick, OUTA’s Executive Director - Accountability Division. “These actions by a minister are in direct contravention of the Executive Members Ethics Act and by repeating such gross misconduct as a Minister, we believe it’s time for her to go.”

Criminal charges have been filed against Minister Mapisa-Nqakula for her role in the action listed above, while a complaint was also submitted to the complaint submitted to the Public Protector to investigate possible violations of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act. We believe that the minister has not yet been held accountable for her prior actions and that once again, the minister has contravened the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and has displayed an attitude little regard for her responsibilities to the nation.

“We need the President to relieve Minister Mapisa Nqakula of her duties to the nation, thereby sending a strong message to people in positions of authority that harsh action can be expected when acting outside the laws or not in the best interest of the people of South Africa,” says Adv Fick. 

OUTA has also written to the President requesting that he recalls the minister from her position and replace her with someone who will display greater regard for the rules and role of this position in Government.