AFTER much dithering President Jacob Zuma has finally implemented the recommendations of the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
Yesterday, he fired Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and suspended police commissioner General Bheki Cele. He instituted a probe against the latter.
They were found guilty by Madonsela for acting unconstitutionally in the manner they went about securing leases for police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban. The two basically gave businessman Roux Shabangu, who described Mahlangu-Nkabinde as "my sister", money for jam, to borrow an appropriate phrase.
Zuma also fired Sicelo Shiceka from the portfolio of cooperative governance and traditional affairs. He too had been criticised by the Public Protector for misusing taxpayers' money.
The axed ministers and the suspended police boss had protested their innocence even in the face of conclusive evidence obtained by the Public Protector during her investigation.
More disconcertingly, they all sought to impugn the image of the Public Protector's office. They effectively undermined a constitutional office set to protect South Africans against abusers of power like them.
Although proponents of good governance, including this newspaper, have a good reason to celebrate now that something has been done, we are mindful of the fact that such a celebration could be premature.
Firstly, we are already concerned that Zuma failed to meet the deadline set by Madonsela to act against Mahlangu-Nkabinde, the minister who lacked the requisite stewardship. By dragging his feet, Zuma undermined the office of the Public Protector.
In this regard, there was a fine line between his and Mahlangu-Nkabinde's failure to cooperate with the Public Protector's investigation - a criminal offence in terms of the law.
Secondly, bad performers tend to be given plum jobs like ambassadorship. And so we won't be surprised if Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Shiceka resurface in much more prominent positions where taxpayers' money will once again be at their mercy.
It is almost as if we are indebted to bad performers who are a constitutional risk.
The fact that Cele was reportedly offered an exit door to ambassadorship - but he apparently declined - shows the disdain with which diplomatic postings are viewed.
For Zuma to earn a reputation as a leader who acts against wrongdoing, he should be consistent. Mr President, don't promote wrongdoers.
An axe should be an axe.
Axe should be an axe
AFTER much dithering President Jacob Zuma has finally implemented the recommendations of the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
Yesterday, he fired Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and suspended police commissioner General Bheki Cele. He instituted a probe against the latter.
They were found guilty by Madonsela for acting unconstitutionally in the manner they went about securing leases for police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban. The two basically gave businessman Roux Shabangu, who described Mahlangu-Nkabinde as "my sister", money for jam, to borrow an appropriate phrase.
Zuma also fired Sicelo Shiceka from the portfolio of cooperative governance and traditional affairs. He too had been criticised by the Public Protector for misusing taxpayers' money.
The axed ministers and the suspended police boss had protested their innocence even in the face of conclusive evidence obtained by the Public Protector during her investigation.
More disconcertingly, they all sought to impugn the image of the Public Protector's office. They effectively undermined a constitutional office set to protect South Africans against abusers of power like them.
Although proponents of good governance, including this newspaper, have a good reason to celebrate now that something has been done, we are mindful of the fact that such a celebration could be premature.
Firstly, we are already concerned that Zuma failed to meet the deadline set by Madonsela to act against Mahlangu-Nkabinde, the minister who lacked the requisite stewardship. By dragging his feet, Zuma undermined the office of the Public Protector.
In this regard, there was a fine line between his and Mahlangu-Nkabinde's failure to cooperate with the Public Protector's investigation - a criminal offence in terms of the law.
Secondly, bad performers tend to be given plum jobs like ambassadorship. And so we won't be surprised if Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Shiceka resurface in much more prominent positions where taxpayers' money will once again be at their mercy.
It is almost as if we are indebted to bad performers who are a constitutional risk.
The fact that Cele was reportedly offered an exit door to ambassadorship - but he apparently declined - shows the disdain with which diplomatic postings are viewed.
For Zuma to earn a reputation as a leader who acts against wrongdoing, he should be consistent. Mr President, don't promote wrongdoers.
An axe should be an axe.
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