By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Government has refuted a newspaper report alleging that President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to leave a meeting for being unprepared and failing to read Cabinet memos.
The incident reportedly took place at a ESEID virtual meeting on Wednesday after Mbalula showed signs of limited participation in the committee following previous complaints by his Cabinet colleagues, including Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) is a meeting that involves all ministries to discuss key government issues including the economy and infrastructure development.
In a statement on Monday, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) DG Phumla Williams said the allegations by the Sunday Independent newspaper were unfounded and deliberately misled members of the public.
“Cabinet discussions are confidential. This has been a long-standing convention and thus these allegations are unfounded. Cabinet decisions are in a transparent manner shared with the public by the Minister in the Presidency. The allegations made by the Sunday Independent are therefore unjustified and malicious, “Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said.
Williams said members of the Cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.
“Any unauthorised or premature disclosure of Cabinet meetings or information undermines the collective responsibility of Cabinet,” added Williams.