The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng recently claimed that cadre deployment is a practice followed by all governing political parties worldwide, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape.
This statement comes after the Constitutional Court dismissed the ANC’s application to appeal a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling, which ordered the ANC to provide the DA with all its cadre deployment records dating back to 2013.
The ANC’s application for leave to appeal was rejected by the Constitutional Court, stating that it was not in the interest of justice to hear the matter. As per the judgment, the ANC now has five working days to hand over all relevant documents, including meeting minutes, CVs, email threads, Whatsapp discussions, and other records related to the cadre deployment committee.
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Cadre deployment has been a topic of debate and controversy in South African politics. The ANC has previously defended the work of its deployment committee, and Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza, the Gauteng provincial secretary, highlighted that other parties, including the DA, also practice cadre deployment.
Nciza pointed out specific instances in the Western Cape and Tshwane where he claimed the DA had hired individuals who were not qualified for their positions. He mentioned the case of four people hired by the DA who were subsequently removed by the Public Protector.
Nciza questioned why there was no outcry about these appointments and emphasized that cadre deployment is not exclusive to the ANC. The ANC’s bid to appeal the SCA ruling was announced in November 2023. The party argued that the SCA did not consider all the evidence in its ruling.
However, the apex court’s judgment, along with those from the lower courts, confirmed that the ANC deployment committee’s actions in the public sector appointments should be transparent and open to scrutiny.
DA MP Leon Schreiber welcomed the court’s decision, stating that it affirmed the party’s belief that South Africans have the right to know how the ANC deployment committee influences public sector appointments.
[WATCH] ANC Gauteng Provincial Secretary Cde TK Nciza responding to the #ConcourtJudgement on Cadre Deployment #ANCGPLekgotla pic.twitter.com/V4hRIMOBEC
— Gauteng ANC #VoteANC (@GautengANC) February 12, 2024
The ruling reinforces the importance of accountability and transparency in the political process. Cadre deployment is a practice that involves the appointment of party loyalists or members to key positions within the government and public sector.
Proponents argue that it ensures continuity and alignment with a party’s ideology and policies. However, critics argue that it can lead to nepotism, corruption, and a lack of merit-based appointments.
Transparency and accountability are crucial in any democracy. The court’s ruling emphasizes the need for political parties to be transparent about their cadre deployment practices. It also highlights the importance of public scrutiny in ensuring that appointments are made based on merit and the best interests of the country.
While the ANC claims that cadre deployment is a widespread practice among political parties globally, it is essential to recognize that each country and party may have different approaches to appointments and governance.
Understanding and evaluating these practices can contribute to a more informed and engaged electorate. The court’s decision regarding the ANC’s cadre deployment records sets an important precedent for transparency and accountability in South African politics.
It reinforces the principle that political parties should be open and transparent about their processes and decisions, particularly when it comes to public sector appointments. This ruling serves as a reminder that the interests of justice and the public’s right to know should always take precedence.
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