Reputation management expert Rams Mabote says firing Social Development ministry spokesperson Lumka Oliphant for her foul-mouthed rants on social media will not solve the problem that government communications is facing.

Speaking to TMG Digital‚ Mabote said government spokespeople in general have not learned to separate themselves from their political superiors.

“If there is an attack on your principal‚ it is an attack on your principal not on you. Your job is to counsel your principal about how she can handle the attack. It does not matter how angry the principal is‚ you do not own the anger. You are always the mediator between the principal and the media‚ at all times.”

Oliphant made headlines on Thursday when she took her anger over people accusing her boss‚ social development minister Bathabile Dlamini‚ of drinking onto Facebook.

“So today‚ allow me to dance for my food. Above all‚ allow me to be vulgar. Anyone of you who wish to use this post for your articles‚ go the f*** ahead! Yes‚ the f*** ahead. Let me just tell you about the Bathabile Dlamini I know and her attitude towards alcohol: Akabufuni. Akabuseli. (She doesn’t want it. She doesn’t drink it.)‚” Oliphant wrote.

Oliphant’s post was in response to media reports which suggested Dlamini had been drunk when she addressed an audience at a Germiston event.

Mabote said Oliphant should have stepped back.

“Once you take ownership of that‚ you have now blurred the relationship. In my view that is what Lumka did. She blurred the relationship. She took her boss’s struggles and made them her own fights‚” Mabote said.

Oliphant did not respond to calls or smses from TMG Digital.

 There was no official comment from the Department of Social Development and the Public Service Commission which is responsible for the conduct of public servants. However‚ the advisor to Minister of Public Service and Administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi said all government officials were expected to abide by the code of conduct.

“We are governed by the Public Service Act and the code of ethics which implores public servants to apply the principles of Batho Pele in any given circumstances‚” said Mahlodi Muofhe.

He then warned against subjecting Oliphant to a public disciplinary hearing as she was also covered by the Labour Relation Act‚ as a government employee.

“Honestly‚ I believe government must do a review of its communication spaces. It must look at the policies‚ strategies and the personnel it deploys. Are they properly trained and equipped? For me kneejerk reactions of firing people are not always the solution.‚” said Mabote.

While there were unconfirmed reports of an apology‚ Oliphant appeared unrepentant on her Facebook account.

She has not deleted the post‚ instead posting one of the memes that had been created following her rant saying the creators could have used a better picture.