DA – “President Ramaphosa has merely moved around a batch of broken eggs in the same basket”

After the announcement regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new cabinet came out, opposition political parties expressed dissatisfaction with the appointments. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was among the first, with its leader, John Steenhuisen, criticising the increase in cabinet positions and the retention of some members who have been charged for their performance in the past.

Reports by Joburg Post say Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also criticised Ramaphosa’s new cabinet. According to Maimane, those who failed the citizens the most were rewarded by being able to keep their cabinet positions. The EFF described the announcement as an exercise in ensuring that those who formed part of Ramaphosa’s factional warfare in the lead-up to his re-election as the ANC President were rewarded through patronage.

The newly appointed Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho “Sputla” Ramokgopa, was also criticised by the DA for his past performance as the Mayor of Tshwane. According to Steenhuisen, “If Cyril Ramaphosa thinks that Ramokgopa will solve the electricity crisis, then permanent blackouts are inevitable.”

The typical dissatisfaction among opposition parties prompted the EFF to call on Ramaphosa to resign and for the public to join them in their National Shutdown later this month. But, unfortunately, Ramaphosa will have to do much more than bring in new people and positions to win over the public and opposition.

Also read: President Ramaphosa announces new Cabinet appointments in reshuffle

Picture: Facebook / PresidencyZA