President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired Deputy Minister of Trade, industry, and Competition Andrew Whitfield from his position.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Thursday confirmed the president used his prerogative to remove Whitfield from his executive in terms of the constitution. Without providing reasons, presidency spokesperson Vincent Magweng\ya said the president fired Whitfield in terms of section 93 (1) of the Constitution. “The Presidency can confirm that in terms of section 93(1) of the constitution President Ramaphosa has removed Andrew Whitfield, MP, from the position of deputy minister for trade, industry, and competition. The president has thanked the former deputy minister for the time he served in the role.”
The dismissal of Whitfield comes amid calls for Ramaphosa to fire higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane over the handling of the botched Seta board appointments. Magwenya said there was no indication there would be a cabinet reshuffle. Ramaphosa is said to have warned Whitfield against being part of the delegation led by the DA’s Emma Powell but he disregarded the warning. Helen Zille to call an urgent federal executive meeting on Thursday to discuss its implications. “I have convened an urgent meeting of the DA’s federal executive after the actions of President Ramaphosa around the composition of the national executive of the GNU. The DA’s federal executive will meet later today and the DA will give further comment later.”
