PRETORIA — The Democratic Alliance has officially condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Dina Pule as the new Minister of Social Development, following a late-night cabinet reshuffle announcement. The opposition party described the President’s decision as shocking, arguing that the critical department requires a leader with impeccable credentials given its massive budget for social grants and social protection.
Ramaphosa announced the appointment last night, positioning Pule to fill the vacancy left by Sisisi Tolashe. Tolashe was recently dismissed from the role amid serious allegations involving irregular appointments and the acceptance of undeclared gifts within her department.
However, Democratic Alliance spokespersons argue that Pule’s own troubled political history makes her unsuitable to manage one of the country’s most crucial portfolios. Years ago, Pule was removed from her post as Minister of Communications in disgrace following severe findings by the Public Protector, which cited maladministration and improper conduct.
Furthermore, Pule was formally reprimanded by Parliament for breaching the executive code of conduct. Lawmakers found that she willfully misled the ethics committee and lied under oath in a continued attempt to conceal a relationship with her permanent companion. This direct contravention of Section 96(2) of the Constitution—which prohibits using one’s position to improperly benefit another—was deemed to have gravely undermined public trust and brought the National Assembly into disrepute.
As a result of the ethical breach, Pule was forced to stand in the house and publicly apologize. She was also suspended from Parliament for several days and forfeited a month’s salary.
Despite this track record, the President has brought her back into the cabinet. Democratic Alliance representatives emphasize that the Department of Social Development manages a significantly large share of the national budget, making it a highly demanding portfolio that cannot be led by a minister with a history of ethical violations.
The party further alleges that Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Pule signals that he is prioritizing the interests of the ANC Women’s League over the effective, ethical governance of a vital state department. The Democratic Alliance maintains that it firmly rejects the appointment and calls for leadership that restores, rather than undermines, public confidence.
