Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address Parliament on serious issues of national interest, including the ongoing case against Minister of Justice, Thembi Simelane.
According to a statement, Ramaphosa will speak to the Members of Parliament (MPs) to respond to the questions, as well as give updates on the Government of National Unity (GNU), the fight against organised crime and rising extortion, as well as the outcomes of the United Nations General Assembly.
“The President will also speak on the Pact for the Future adopted recently by the United Nations. The Pact focuses on climate action and attainment of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals,” Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said.
Ramaphosa also planned to outline the steps taken to ensure the Members of the National Executive act in accordance with the government’s commitment to build a capable and ethical state, while outlining the key principles of the GNU regarding all spheres of government.
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Simelane had received a loan of R575 600 from the bank but opposition parties said they were not satisfied with the information she gave. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach posed a written question to the president to ask how he would deal with Simelane to ensure all ministers act in an ethical manner aligned to a capable state.
Meanwhile, ActionSA’s Athol Trollip has been calling for Simelane’s resignation for some time. He believed that Ramaohosa had been slow in taking action against Simelane.
“If I was the president, I would have dismissed him. There has been enough time to make a full disclosure,” he explained.
Trollip said Simelane had been given countless opportunities to explain herself in parliament and her party, the African National Congress (ANC). However, she was still failing to supply proof and evidence of her dealings with VBS. He also said Ramaphosa should not make excuses for Simelane.
“The fact that there is no presentation of facts and evidence makes the cloud of suspicion grow darker and bigger every day,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
