“Let it be clear that the President shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the Executive that he has the prerogative to appoint in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.”

These were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Friday, as he lashed out at Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen and former Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, following Whitfield’s removal from Cabinet - a decision, Ramaphosa stressed, was the President’s constitutional prerogative.

The drama unfolded on Thursday when Ramaphosa removed Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister, to which Steenhuisen responded, demanding that the President also fire other members of Cabinet who face allegations of corruption and mismanagement, within 48 hours or face “grave consequences”.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that he had dismissed Whitfield for undertaking a trip to the US without his permission, but added that he had asked Steenhuisen to provide a replacement for his approval, as the DA is entitled to that position.

“His [Whitfield's] travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive. This requirement is known to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers. These rules and established practices were expressly communicated to all members of the Executive during the induction sessions at the commencement of the seventh administration,” Ramaphosa stated.

He blamed Steenhuisen and Whitfield for creating “distortions” since the dismissal, resulting in the need for him to make a public statement.

Ramaphosa accused Whitfield of “deliberately” violating the Cabinet rules by not seeking his approval for the trip but acknowledged that Whitfield had sent him a letter of apology after the trip, a move that Ramaphosa took as an admission of guilt.

Ramaphosa said that he had informed Steenhuisen of his decision to dismiss Whitfield. 

“In that discussion, Mr Steenhuisen informed me that Mr Whitfield had been expecting that he may be dismissed on the grounds that he had undertaken an international trip without the President’s permission… During my discussion with Mr Steenhuisen, he asked me if there was precedent for the action that I intended to take in relation to Mr Whitfield. I informed him that there was indeed prior precedent,” Ramaphosa stated.

He said he had pointed out to Steenhuisen that past presidents such as Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, had dismissed Ministers for the same breach of Cabinet rules in previous years.

Ramaphosa said the DA had no grounds to issue ultimatums when the President “exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility”.

The DA, meanwhile, called the move a “calculated political assault” and described it as “a flagrant double standard”.

“There is really no basis for suggestions that the dismissal of the former Deputy Minister is related to any other reason than his failure to receive permission to travel and adhere to the rules and established practices expected of members of the Executive of the Republic of South Africa,” Ramaphosa argued.

While Steenhuisen had hoped to brief the DA Federal Executive of Ramaphosa’s decision before it was enacted, Whitfield received a letter informing him of his removal before that meeting took place.

“While Mr Steenhuisen asked that he be allowed to brief the Democratic Alliance Federal Executive prior to the removal letter being delivered to Mr Whitfield, this would have had no bearing on my decision. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the President to determine the timing and manner of the appointment and removal of Members of the Executive,” Ramaphosa stated.

The DA will hold a press conference on the matter on Saturday and said the briefing will address the way forward for the party and the Government of National Unity.