The suspicious cabinet of the new billion-rand government – a bad first impression of reforms

President Ramaphosa’s announcement today about a bloated and compromised cabinet is a poor first impression of this new grand coalition, as well as any intention to make significant reforms to policies that were rejected by the majority in this election.

Contrary to previous commitments by both President Ramaphosa and the DA, the appointment of 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers shows that when they stand to benefit, their principles quickly take a back seat.

Notwithstanding these serious concerns surrounding President Ramaphosa’s Cabinet announcement this evening, ActionSA recognises that this announcement brings to an end a period of great uncertainty for South Africans.

South Africans have been calling for a reduction in the size of the government for years, given that our country has one of the largest cabinets in the world in the context of a country where most citizens suffer in poverty and struggle to keep up with the cost of living.

The formation of the cabinet announced by President Ramaphosa this evening will cost a total of over R1 billion a year in benefits and allowances, of which over R180 million will go towards the salaries of ministers and deputy ministers alone. Among other benefits provided to ministers, taxpayers can expect annual salary coverage of R2.68 million for each minister and R2.2 million for each deputy minister.

On top of that, taxpayers will foot the bill for more than R500 million for VIP protection and security, and more than R390 million for support staff. These staggering sums do not even include the extra costs associated with the luxury residences that ministers and deputy ministers receive.

In April 2019, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) submitted a substantive report to President Ramaphosa on the macro-reorganisation of the state, following the SoNA commitment to reduce the size of the Cabinet in 2018. No action has been taken since then.

Meanwhile, last May, the DA’s Dr. Leon Schreiber introduced what he publicly called the “Cabinet Privilege Cuts Bill” in parliament. The question remains whether the ANC and DA will continue to pursue these goals under a new grand coalition where loyalty depends on patronage and privilege.

Equally troubling is the retention of cabinet members involved in misconduct, which signals that the new grand coalition government is likely to be led by those who have previously failed or by those who will resist any attempts to root out corruption.

Despite months of reports of Paul Mashatile’s corrupt dealings, including how he allegedly benefited from bribery in the tender process, he was re-elected as vice president. Meanwhile, Angie Motshegka, who failed to turn basic education around for decades, was rewarded with a ministerial position, as was Blade Nzimande, who botched the management of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

ActionSA says this new grand coalition government has failed to take a reform step this evening. Years of public calls by opposition parties for a smaller cabinet and the replacement of failed or confused ministers have been silenced. That’s why ActionSA believes that now more than ever, the voice of an uncompromising unofficial opposition will be needed.

Tonight we are sending the following message to the new government: you are now in the government and you alone are responsible for running our country. We can no longer rely on the fear tactics of “what-could-have-been” governments. It is time to reform our country and now we are going to hold you accountable for the changes you are making.