Cape Town — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have lodged an official complaint with the Registrar of the Ethics Committee against Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen.
The party referred a violation of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for Assembly and Permanent Council Members against Steenhuisen after he was asked whether he had deviated from the normal recruitment policies when he appointed four individuals to his office who did not have the required education and experience, a statement read.
Steenhuisen responded negatively and EFF spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys, said his response was deliberately deceitful and the Minister chose to lie.
“He needed to provide the full details surrounding his attempted appointment of unqualified individuals since the beginning of his tenure, and his belated attempts to secure deviations while people have already been serving in his ministry,” she said.
♦️Happening Today♦️
Catch Commissar @Sinawo_Thambo on Radio 702, DSTV Channel 856 at 12H40 today as he discusses the complaint lodged with the Registrar of the Ethics Committee and Members Interests against Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.
The EFF believes that… pic.twitter.com/uoU4l9DxBh
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 9, 2024
Mathys also criticised Steenhuisen’s controversial appointment of right-wing podcaster, Roman Cabanac, who has a history of racist and homophobic remarks.
Despite Steenhuisen asking for Cabanac to resign, he has not yet done so, and is still paid from taxpayer’s money.
As per the Code of Ethics, the EFF believes Minister Steenhuisen violated Section 3 of the Code of Ethical Conduct, particularly subsections 1 (a, b, c) when he appointed unqualified DA members, Annette Steyn, Una Christians, Charity McCord and an unidentified man named Mr Kruger, while they did not meet the required qualifications for the position.
The EFF also said he violated subsections 1 (d and e) when he denied that such appointments were made, meaning he was not open and honest, and as such, violated his Oath of Office.
“The Minister of Agriculture will be obliged to respond to the Registrar of the Ethics Committee within 7 days of being notified of the complaint made against him and the EFF will ensure that he is held accountable for his lies, patronage and abuse of state resources,” Mathys said.
The EFF’s Sinawo Tambo spoke to Newzroom Afrika and said it was a tragedy over the lack of education that Steenhuisen is known for.
He condemned the appointment of Annette Steyn for her lack of qualifications and was disappointed that Steenhuisen failed to acknowledge so.
He added that Steenhuisen and the DA do not acknowledge autocracy and have ignored many candidates who possess NQF Level 7 qualifications. Instead, they have appointed underqualified white individuals who hold DA memberships.
The EFF has lodged a complaint against Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, accusing him of violating the Code of Ethical Conduct in Parliament. Steenhuisen denies that he deviated from normal recruitment policies when he appointed four individuals to his office. EFF MP Sinawo… pic.twitter.com/NThSpEpQTz
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 8, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
