Ramaphosa dismisses Nkabane to secure Appropriation Bill

President Cyril Ramaphosa was compelled to yield to the DA's pressure to dismiss Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to secure the Appropriation Bill's passage on Wendesday.

Ramaphosa’s move comes ahead of the National Assembly's vote on the Appropriation Bill, which allocates funding to each national department.

The DA had threatened to withhold support for Nkabane's departmental budget following allegations of misconduct and misleading Parliament regarding appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards.

Following Nkabane's dismissal, the DA’s spokesperson, Willie Aucamp, confirmed yesterday that they would vote with the ANC in every department, paving the way for the Appropriation Bill to pass without major challenges.

The ANC, as well as ministers in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, have found temporary relief after Nkabane’s axing. 

This follows the DA’s confirmation that the party would vote with them for their respective departments but would pursue them over corruption allegations.

“Our caucus met this afternoon, and we have decided that we will support the other departmental budgets. So the DA will support the total budget. 

However, Aucamp said the party would keep applying pressure on the president to get rid of anybody in his government who is implicated in corruption, either by the Zondo Commission or through the VBS Bank looting scheme.

The Appropriation Bill requires 201 of 400 votes in the National Assembly. With the DA's support, the Bill is likely to pass without significant hurdles. 

Opposition parties, who cited her alleged misconduct and disregard for public service, welcomed Nkabane's removal.

Buti Manamela, one of Nkabane's deputies, has been named the new minister of Higher Education and Training.

Nomusa Dube-Ncube was appointed deputy minister. The ANC expressed confidence in the new leadership to advance access, equity, and quality in the higher education sector.

Ramaphosa has wielded his axe three times in recent days. 

Nearly two weeks ago, he suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and placed him on special leave over explosive allegations that he interfered in police work investigations that involved political assassinations.

Mchunu has since denied these allegations, but was succeeded by ANC heavyweight Firoz Cachalia.

On Monday, after Nkabane’s dismissal, Ramaphosa also announced the suspension of the South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andrew Chauke. 

Manamela’s appointment brought questions within the corridors of Luthuli House as officials once again questioned why Ramaphosa appointed him when he had not done so when he suspended Mchunu, overlooking his two deputies, Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale.

A senior National Executive Committee member said, although it was Ramaphosa’s prerogative to pick and choose as to who he preferred, he appeared to be selective and wanted to keep people who were trusted around him.

“Comrades have been talking about it… they say the president should be consistent in his dealings… But I for one think it's a tough decision. We have the SACP (South African Communist Party) having decided to contest the elections… and you have Buti (Manamela) and you want to keep him in the deputy position?... It's impossible.

“The president knows he has to yield to the SACP, and this appointment will quell the tensions we have with the SACP,” the source said.

Political analyst Sandile Swana said Ramaphosa needed to keep people he trusted close to him because he was on his way out since its his last term.

“How Cyril Ramaphosa removes ministers is largely guided by the balance of forces for the balance of power within the tripartite alliance or the ANC, so he has to make sure that he strengthens those who protect him from any fallout that might occur.

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