“You Can Commit an Injustice by Doing Nothing,” — Marcus Aurelius, 121 AD
Press Statement by Athol Trollip MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA is deeply concerned by recent communication from the President’s Parliamentary Counsellor, Hon Gerhard Koornhof, which reflects the President’s reluctance to take concrete, decisive action to combat corruption as Justice Minister Simelane’s VBS-linked loan ‘report’ gathers dust on his desk while he sits on his hands.
President Ramaphosa was allegedly informed by Minister Simelane about her VBS-linked “loan” upon her appointment to the cabinet in 2021. Three and a half months have passed since I first wrote to the President regarding the glaring irregularities surrounding this so-called “loan” and how this cloud of controversy is compromising both his government and, more critically, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The President has publicly stated on at least three occasions since my first correspondence that, he “needs time and space to apply his mind on the matter”. The question is how much time and space does he need or is this yet another ANC-style “Stalingrad” tactic designed to make South Africans believe he is applying his mind whilst he has already made up his mind.
Sadly, a pattern has emerged in the President’s general inaction, a hallmark of his Presidency, suggesting he lacks the appetite to grasp the corruption nettle and hold Minister Simelane to account or, more regrettably, will not act to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.
ActionSA reiterates our urgent call for the President to suspend Minister Simelane pending the outcome of any ongoing investigations and equally appeals to the Minister to do the honourable thing by stepping aside if she has any respect for the office she holds, as her continued tenure as Head of the Justice system has become untenable.
“You Can Commit an Injustice by Doing Nothing,” — Marcus Aurelius, 121 AD
ActionSA is deeply concerned by recent communication from the President’s Parliamentary Counsellor, Hon Gerhard Koornhof, which reflects the President’s reluctance to take concrete, decisive action to combat corruption as Justice Minister Simelane’s VBS-linked loan ‘report’ gathers dust on his desk while he sits on his hands.
President Ramaphosa was allegedly informed by Minister Simelane about her VBS-linked “loan” upon her appointment to the cabinet in 2021. Three and a half months have passed since I first wrote to the President regarding the glaring irregularities surrounding this so-called “loan” and how this cloud of controversy is compromising both his government and, more critically, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The President has publicly stated on at least three occasions since my first correspondence that, he “needs time and space to apply his mind on the matter”. The question is how much time and space does he need or is this yet another ANC-style “Stalingrad” tactic designed to make South Africans believe he is applying his mind whilst he has already made up his mind.
Sadly, a pattern has emerged in the President’s general inaction, a hallmark of his Presidency, suggesting he lacks the appetite to grasp the corruption nettle and hold Minister Simelane to account or, more regrettably, will not act to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.
ActionSA reiterates our urgent call for the President to suspend Minister Simelane pending the outcome of any ongoing investigations and equally appeals to the Minister to do the honourable thing by stepping aside if she has any respect for the office she holds, as her continued tenure as Head of the Justice system has become untenable.