Zuma should just disband Communications Ministry

Date: 2 February 2015 

With rumours swirling that the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) is to be moved away from the Department of Communications, President Zuma should consider just doing away with the Department altogether.

Shifting the GCIS away from the Department of Communications would be a massive vote of no confidence in Minister Faith Muthambi. It would also see her role in government reduced to practically nothing.

Unlike previous Communications Ministers, Muthambi has no part to play in telecommunications as this falls under the newly created Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services.

Muthambi has also not had a role as a Cabinet Spokesperson since she was unceremoniously dumped after just a few months. Even the media training course she was sent on (at a cost of R12 000 per session) was not enough to save her.

The impending removal of the GCIS from her purview explains Muthambi's recent unlawful threats to remove SABC Board Members from office. She is trying to extend her tentacles into the SABC because it is all she has left.

But South Africa doesn't want and doesn't need a ‘Minister of the SABC'. An independent public broadcaster should operate at arms length from a Minister to ensure that it is free from political interference.

The best solution is for President Zuma to admit that the creation of the new Department of Communications was a mistake, and to quietly disband it. 

Statement issued by Gavin Davis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, February 2 2015

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