Is Bathabile Dlamini one of the best cadres that the ANC could have deployed to be a cabinet minister?
The answer is a resounding “No”. The threat that pensioners may not be paid at the end of the month due to Dlamini’s negligence or reluctance to resolve the matter timeously attests to her incompetence.
I bet if the Social Development Minister was accountable to the voters, she would be toast by now. But she remains a cabinet minister because she serves at the pleasure of President Jacob Zuma. As deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has said, only the President can fire Dlamini.
The pertinent question is: what criteria does the President uses to appoint cabinet ministers? I’m asking because several ministers are so incompetent it’s not funny. In fact, some are an embarrassment to the glorious movement and nation. But, interestingly, they remain intact in their positions.
The above clearly shows that the current system disempowers voters to hold cabinet ministers and MPs accountable. Instead, ministers and MPs account to their political parties in the name of democracy. Is that fair? Methinks not.
It’s about time that voters fought for change in the system. They should demand a system that will empower them to hold cabinet ministers accountable. This will help them reclaim their power. Otherwise, they will remain spectators in the game they’re supposed to be playing.
