COSATU relieved Steenhuisen has asked Cabanac to step down

12 September 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes Minister for Agriculture, Mr. John Steenhuisen, ceding to COSATU and society’s outcry over the ill-considered appointment of Mr. Roman Cabanac, with his announcement of his Chief of Staff’s departure.

It was clear to anyone with sense that Mr. Cabanac was woefully unqualified for such a senior and sensitive role in the most senior echelons of government. His appointment, having had no prior experience in government, Parliament or agriculture; defied all logic. The only thing vaguely remarkable about the podcaster were his X (formerly Twitter) posts that could be described as the equivalent of having a potty mouth and routinely delving in hate speech.

It is concerning that that it took the Minister this long to acknowledge his mistake and rectify it. The portfolio for which he is responsible is one that has been lagging in terms of transformation and calls for a Minister who is keen to turn things around and place more land in black hands. This recent lapse in judgement doesn’t inspire confidence when government needs to accelerate transformation in agriculture. 

COSATU nonetheless welcomes Cabanac’s exit from public office and trusts Minister Steenhuisen and all other Members of Cabinet and Public Office Bearers will be more discerning in their choice of chief of staff and other ministerial appointments.  

Issued by Zanele Sabela, National Spokesperson, COSATU, 13 September 2024