ActionSA Tables Bill to Eliminate Deputy Minister Positions
ActionSA has tabled the Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill, proposing the complete removal of all deputy minister positions from government. If passed, the amendment could reportedly save South Africa over R1 billion annually.
The move follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police, a decision that ActionSA argues highlights the redundancy of deputy ministers. The party believes the current structure of government is bloated and inefficient.
ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip criticised the size of South Africa’s Cabinet, claiming it is among the largest in the world. He said deputy ministers often serve in symbolic roles with little real authority, describing them as “glorified doormen and doorwomen” who rarely ascend to full ministerial positions.
The party is also calling for stricter vetting processes for Cabinet appointments. While acknowledging the president’s constitutional right to select ministers, ActionSA has proposed the introduction of a formal screening mechanism.
This suggestion was partly prompted by recent comments from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who expressed discomfort over swearing in ministers implicated in state capture during the Zondo Commission.
The proposed bill forms part of ActionSA’s broader push for leaner governance and greater accountability in executive appointments.