‘Grave embarrassment’: MPs lay into Ndabeni-Abrahams

Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is once again in the bad books of MPs, over the appointment of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) council, and is accused of being out of touch with the basic laws which govern her department. 

The minister had written a letter to National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise, in which she said she would only be accepting four names from the 10 that were shortlisted by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications, as opposed to six people she is supposed to recommend. 

Ndabeni-Abrahams had said some of the candidates did not possess the skills need to carry out the body’s mandate. 

“I have never heard of what we experienced here. First of all, a minister questions the authority of the National Assembly, not just the committee, because this report was adopted by the National Assembly”, said DA MP Phumzile van Damme. 

The minister should be removed 

Van Damme, a long-time critic of Ndabeni-Abrahams further reiterated that the minister be removed from her post, but also added that her call would not be supported by ANC MPs and suggested that a strongly worded letter be written, expressing disappointment in her. 

“Surely, she would have done the due dilligence and check whether the law allows her to do what it was proposing what she does – she did not. It is a grave embarrassment that this is the person who is the minister, who is responsible for such an important sector and doesn’t know the basic law that applies to her department” 

Ndabeni-Abrahams apparently sent three letters to Modise – one in which she said she would appoint a two more candidates (in addition to the two), if the committee did not accede her request to provide new candidates. 

‘Extremely disappointing’ 

EFF MP Fana Mokoena echoed Van Damme’s sentiments and said Ndabeni-Abraham’s conduct was “extremely disappointing”. 

“The minister is setting a precedent which must not be entertained by parliament ever again. It is not possible for parliament to take a decision, that decision to be ratified by parliament and sent to the executive, then (the executive) brings it back. On what basis? On what constitutional platform is she giving herself the latitude to do what she is doing?”, Mokoena ranted. 

Mokoena further supported the recommendation that a letter be written, including one addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa.