PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has virtually suspended Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka.
Speaking through his spokesman Mac Maharaj yesterday, Zuma said he would not allow Shiceka to return to office before the public protector had pronounced on his alleged abuse of state funds.
Maharaj said Zuma had written to Shiceka some time ago about reports of "a misuse of funds".
"While he was investigating, we heard that the public protector was looking into the matter."
Maharaj said the presidency did not want a situation in which "the president makes a finding and the public protector comes out and says something else".
He said there had been no indication from Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on when her office would finalise its investigation on Shiceka.
"We need that to be completed, otherwise the situation would be untenable," said Maharaj.
Political analysts believe that Zuma's move is in preparation for Shiceka's dismissal.
"President Zuma is indeed considering his (Shiceka) redeployment or removal," said Unisa director of research Tinyiko Maluleke.
Political analyst Elvis Masoga said: "I think he (Zuma) is preparing Shiceka and the nation for hisdismissal."
Shiceka has been on sick leave since February. He has signalled at least twice that he was keen to return to work.
Yesterday, he told Talk Radio 702 in an interview that he had recovered and had been playing tennis.
The minister's interview and questions on his future came as Zuma faced pressure to act on Madonsela's findings on the police headquarters lease scandal.
Zuma told the National Assembly on Tuesday he had asked questions and received answers from the minister.
He was responding to a question from Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota on whether Shiceka had been asked to refund money he allegedly spent irregularly on a trip to Switzerland.
Zuma told MPs that Shiceka had permission from then president Kgalema Motlanthe to visit Switzerland on Fifa World Cup business.
"I requested a report from the minister subsequent to media reports alleging that business other than what former president Motlanthe had been informed about transpired. The minister complied."
ANC MP Ben Turok in April asked Madonsela's office to probe reports that Shiceka spent R355000 to visit a girlfriend in a Swiss jail, R640000 to stay in a luxury hotel in Cape Town, and more than R160000 on plane tickets for his family members.
Democratic Alliance MP James Lorimer yesterday accused Zuma of "hiding behind the slow processes of the public protector".
"The fact that the public protector is investigating allegations of misconduct against the minister does not mean he is freed from explaining his conduct," Lorimer said.
Zuma ready to fire Shiceka - analysts
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has virtually suspended Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka.
Speaking through his spokesman Mac Maharaj yesterday, Zuma said he would not allow Shiceka to return to office before the public protector had pronounced on his alleged abuse of state funds.
Maharaj said Zuma had written to Shiceka some time ago about reports of "a misuse of funds".
"While he was investigating, we heard that the public protector was looking into the matter."
Maharaj said the presidency did not want a situation in which "the president makes a finding and the public protector comes out and says something else".
He said there had been no indication from Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on when her office would finalise its investigation on Shiceka.
"We need that to be completed, otherwise the situation would be untenable," said Maharaj.
Political analysts believe that Zuma's move is in preparation for Shiceka's dismissal.
"President Zuma is indeed considering his (Shiceka) redeployment or removal," said Unisa director of research Tinyiko Maluleke.
Political analyst Elvis Masoga said: "I think he (Zuma) is preparing Shiceka and the nation for hisdismissal."
Shiceka has been on sick leave since February. He has signalled at least twice that he was keen to return to work.
Yesterday, he told Talk Radio 702 in an interview that he had recovered and had been playing tennis.
The minister's interview and questions on his future came as Zuma faced pressure to act on Madonsela's findings on the police headquarters lease scandal.
Zuma told the National Assembly on Tuesday he had asked questions and received answers from the minister.
He was responding to a question from Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota on whether Shiceka had been asked to refund money he allegedly spent irregularly on a trip to Switzerland.
Zuma told MPs that Shiceka had permission from then president Kgalema Motlanthe to visit Switzerland on Fifa World Cup business.
"I requested a report from the minister subsequent to media reports alleging that business other than what former president Motlanthe had been informed about transpired. The minister complied."
ANC MP Ben Turok in April asked Madonsela's office to probe reports that Shiceka spent R355000 to visit a girlfriend in a Swiss jail, R640000 to stay in a luxury hotel in Cape Town, and more than R160000 on plane tickets for his family members.
Democratic Alliance MP James Lorimer yesterday accused Zuma of "hiding behind the slow processes of the public protector".
"The fact that the public protector is investigating allegations of misconduct against the minister does not mean he is freed from explaining his conduct," Lorimer said.
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