New allegations at PP against De Lille – Ramaphosa must fire her now
20 September 2020
Following new allegations revealed in a complaint to the Public Protector (PP), President Ramaphosa has no choice but to fire Patricia de Lille, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The new range of allegations against the ongoing political meddling and bullying by Minister De Lille have been detailed in a complaint to the PP’s office. The complaint, laid by a former Deputy Director-General of the Department, Mahalingum Govender, supports the allegations made by the suspended Director-General, Adv Sam Vukela in his affidavit in his case against the Minister.
Govender also makes additional allegations of unlawful instructions to officials, constructive dismissal of officials and purported ulterior motives in the termination of contract workers.
It has been a week since the Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a letter to President Ramaphosa detailing the ongoing political meddling of Minister De Lille in her Department. Following specific examples of her interference, including that of the Beitbridge border fence, the President has yet to respond to these allegations. Minister De Lille remains in situ, impugning the characters of her detractors and doggedly refusing to answer allegations against her.