The ATM criticized President Ramaphosa's reprimand of Minister Mapisa-Nqakula as dishonest and unfair for three main reasons: 1) President Ramaphosa was part of the decision for the ANC delegation to travel to Zimbabwe and approved the use of a military aircraft. 2) The South African National Defence Force confirmed the Minister received permission from the President to travel abroad. 3) Reprimanding the Minister in this way is selective and targets women ministers, demonstrating Ramaphosa is unfit for office and lacks fairness and integrity. The ATM rejects the sanction and calls for an independent investigation.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO : ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 27 SEPTEMBER 2020
RAMAPHOSA’SREPRIMANDISDISHONESTANDUNFAIR
The ATM has notedthe sanctioningof MinisterMapisa-Nqakulawithgreat
disappointment.The statementfromthe presidencyalludestothe factthat the
Ministerhasbeenreprimandedandfurthermore thathersalarywill be dockedfor
three months.We note withconcernthat herdockedthree months’salarywill be
contributedtothe corruptionriddenCovidFundinsteadof adeservingcharity
organisation.
Impliedinthe reprimandisthatthe Ministeractedonher ownfrolicincrossingthe
borderduringinternationaltravel banandfurthermore thatthe Ministerunilaterally
tookthe decisiontogive alifttoher civiliancomradesonamilitary aircraft.Nothing
couldbe furtherfromthe truth.
It iscommon course that PresidentRamaphosawaspartof the ANCNEC meeting
that decidedonthe Zimbabwe tripandthathe was alsopart of the decisionthat
approvedthe delegation.Infact,PresidentRamaphosa,contrarytotheirown
conventionasthe ANC,he wasthe one whobriefedthe mediaaboutthe trip.So,there
isabsolutelynowayhe couldturn aroundand pleadignorance.
Furthermore,evenonthe Governmentside,the SouthAfricanNational Defence Force
ison record that the Ministerhadreceivedpermissionfromthe Presidenttotravel
abroad.So, thisdrama byRamaphosashouldbe dismissedasadisingenuousscapegoatingandbeing
dishonestwiththe people of SouthAfrica.
Alternatively,if aMinistercouldtake a militaryaircraft,loadherciviliancomrades

2. and cross the borderwithoutthe knowledge of the CommanderInChief thenindeedit
wouldmeanthere isnoPresidentinSouthAfricaorthe Presidentisderelictinhis
dutyto safeguardthe State assets.
PresidentRamaphosashouldhave takenthe Nationintohisconfidence,explainthe
extraneouscircumstancesthatnecessitatedthe Zimbabwe tripandapologise forhis
error of judgementindealingwiththe matterasthe CommanderIn Chief.He isa
humanbeingafter-all.SouthAfricansare aforgivingNation,we wouldhave
understood.Thereafterhe shouldhave firedall hisadvisors.Thatwouldbe providing
leadershipandaccountability.
But instead,Ramaphosachose tomake foolsof the citizensof thiscountry,played
holierthanthouand targeteda womanMinister.We therefore rejectthe sanctionfor
the reasonsstatedabove.
All these disingenuousmovesbyRamaphosaincludingbeingselective onwhich
Ministerstosanction,andtargetingwomenMinisters,vindicatethe long-heldview of
the ATM that he isnot fitfor office.SouthAfricadeservesbetter,we deservean
honestPresidentthatconductshim/herselfwithfairnessandintegritythatisbeyond
reproach.
ATM callsonthe PublicProtectortoexpedite herowninvestigationintothismatter.
END
Issuedbythe AfricanTransformationMovement
National Spokesperson –SibusisoMncwabe 068 580 5713
Media& CommunicationsManager– Zama Ntshona072 3038 702