YCLSA infuriated by decision to reprimand Minister Nxesi
25 April 2016
The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] is infuriated by the unfair and uncalled for decision to reprimand Public Works Minister, Thulas Nxesi, over the handling of the Nkandla matter and the abuse of public funds.
As the YCLSA we are perplexed as to why Nxesi has to form part of those who had to be reprimanded by the President over what the officer of the public protector termed “appalling manner in which the Nkandla matter was handled and the abuse of state funds”. What we find puzzling is that Nxesi only joined the Department of Public Works after the contracts for the Nkandla project were sealed.
What baffles us is that Nxesi’s first task as Minister was to investigate corruption and take curative measures against those who were involved in corrupt activities on the project. The recommendations by the Public Protector do not at all have any adverse finding on Nxesi and it is for that reason we hold a very strong view that him being reprimanded is uncalled for.
We also find it very confusing that Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, who was involved at the same time as Nxesi was not reprimanded for his role on the matter. As a matter of fact the report the report of the Public Protector did not mentioned Nxesi and this leaves us flabbergasted as to why he was parachuted into the matter.
The YCLSA holds a very strong view that if the President followed advise by our movement to take the Public Protectors for court review we would not find ourselves in a situation whereby the Constitutional Court had to rule that he failed to protect and uphold the constitution and that his non-compliance was inconsistent with it.
As the YCLSA we will be meeting with the South African Communist Party [SACP] on the matter. We are going to raise the matter sharply at the next SACP Central Committee meeting. Our view is that this represents gross unfairness and the matter deserves to be investigated.
Issued by Muleki Dlelanga, YCLSA National Secretary, 25 April 2016
