“Cadre Deployment” at the Center of Ramaphosa’s Testimony

By: Lindelani Mbatha

ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, says the ruling party’s deployment committee does not get involved in some appointments in government.

Ramaphosa is testifying before the Zondo commission of enquiry, investigating state capture.

In 2019 Former Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan questioned whether the ANC’s deployment committee is effective, saying the governing party often interfered and tried to instruct her on who to appoint to leadership positions at state-owned enterprises.

Ramaphosa says the committee is set up to achieve objectives of the liberation movement, such as pursuing a non-racial and non-sexist South Africa, that have not yet been truly achieved.

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He continues to say the ruling party’s deployment committee is sacrosanct to ensuring transformation and gender equality in government.

Last week, ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe told the Inquiry that the party is still committed to its deployment policy, but denied that it caused a conflict among public servants about whom they serve the party or public.

Mantashe maintained that the strategic deployment of ANC cadres played an important role in the ANC taking control of the post-liberation state.

Ramaphosa says there’s even more need now for the deployment committee, he says it plays an important role in balancing SOE’s Board of Directors.

However, the Commission’s chairperson Raymond Zondo asked the president whether the deployment list has ever made public.

Ramaphosa had this to say.

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He adds that the party recognises that there are over 3000 people in public service who are not qualified for the positions they are in, saying they will address this by professionalising the public service.