The ANC-led national government got a failing F grade when party leader Mmusi Maimane unveiled the opposition’s annual government report card at the Union Buildings yesterday.
Also scoring an F were Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, who was described as the most incompetent minister, President Jacob Zuma, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, Public Enterprise Minister Lynne Brown and 15 other ministers.
Scores are based on the DA’s appraisal of the performance of government for the year. The DA has moved away from just issuing a Cabinet scorecard to an overall government scorecard and also assessed each ministry this year, Maimane said.
“But it is difficult to do when we have Jacob Zuma whose theme song is ‘Every day I’m shuffling’. This is a president who, in parliament, could not answer a question about how much he spent on his legal fees because he is trying to hide that, because he is sponsoring his colleague, his friend, his president keeper, the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Shaun (Abrahams) the Sheep.”
Maimane said Brown had shown she is captured. “She had a role to play in ensuring the Guptas got contracts from places like Eskom.”
Only Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor scored a C, the highest grade awarded. Maimane said Pandor has been “relatively committed to her portfolio”.
Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (defence), Jeffrey Radebe (presidency), Susan Shabangu (sports) and Tokozile Xasa (tourism) all scored a D.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen and nine others got Es.
“We have seen Ramaphosa, outside when he is campaigning for the ANC presidency, calling for a judicial commission of inquiry and accountability, but in parliament he votes in defence of Zuma.”
