Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
11 September 2025 | 12:07 CAT
3-minute read

Image: Good Things Guy

Following calls to reduce the cabinet size, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that despite his wish for a smaller executive, political realities dictate otherwise.

The President has defended his decision to appoint 43 deputy ministers amid increasing calls from the ANC and various structures of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to eliminate their role. He argues that they play a significant role in assisting ministers and contributing to governance.

South Africa’s executive, among the largest in the world, has lingered since 2018 when President Ramaphosa first took office and promised a more efficient, streamlined government.

In July 2025, ActionSA gazetted a Notice to introduce the Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill which, if passed, would represent an overhaul of the Executive, which comprises of 32 Ministers and 43 Deputy Ministers.

Provincial Chairman of ActionSA in the Eastern Cape Athol Trollip spoke to Radio Islam International about the matter.

Trollip explained that if a minister is unable to perform his duties, the President would appoint one of the other cabinet ministers to act in that department and pointed out that deputy ministers are not allowed to act as a minister in any case.

“Members of the executive are sworn into office. So a deputy may not act as a minister unless they’ve been sworn in as a minister.”

According to Trollip, this is exemplified by the fact that after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on “special leave” amid allegations of interference in police investigations and ties to criminal elements, President Ramaphosa appointed Prof Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police. Cachalia, who is currently a non-MP and non-Minister, was selected from outside the cabinet and surpassed two current police deputy ministers.

However, until Cachalia is formally sworn in, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is presiding over the police portfolio in an acting capacity.

The result: two ministers of police on leave with two deputies, which is increasing government expenditure.

The size of the cabinet has progressively increased since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, resulting in the biggest executive in the world, with deputy ministers outnumbering ministers. The problem, Trollip argues, lies in the fact that deputy ministers do not hold any executive authority and therefore cannot make autonomous decisions without first passing it through the minister.

“They add no value. They make cameo appearances to portfolio committees. And they’re just a drag on the fiscus. It’s all about providing patronage to good comrades and to parties that have joined the GNU.”

On being asked if ActionSA would accept an offer of a deputy minister’s position in the executive, Trollip answered in the negative.

“We would absolutely not take it. Absolutely not take it. We have made it quite clear from the beginning of the GNU that we would not go into the GNU.”

The Presidency maintains that deputy ministers play an important role and highlighted the value he sees in their contributions.

“Deputy ministers continue to play a critical role in our government. They are members of the executive, participate in Cabinet committee discussions.” Ramaphosa said. He described these positions as a “training ground for future ministerial positions.”

ActionSA’s private member’s bill has undergone a period of public participation, during which the bill garnered significant support. The next step is for Trollip to appear before the Portfolio Committee to make his proposals, after which it must be rubber-stamped by GNU parties before being passed.

Trollip said that the cost of the 43 deputy ministers in the cabinet is approximately R250 million worth of taxpayers’ money per year. This estimate excludes housing, motor vehicle, travel, VIP protection services and support staff costs that are incurred yearly.

“That is why we have to increase fuel levies to fill gaps in the budget when we’re actually consuming and creating those gaps in the budget through having the biggest cabinet in the world,” he said.

In addition to the private member’s bill, ActionSA has recommended reducing perks afforded to members of the executive and has drafted the Cut Cabinet Perks Bill. The party says that even if these bills are not passed, it is a way to hold the government accountable.

“It’s using every lever available to us to put people on the spot and to put their parties on the spot so that the members of the public who vote for political parties can know exactly where they stand on matters that affect their pockets,” he said.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.