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Politics don't impact our work, say Cabinet ministers

Cape Town – Cabinet ministers on Tuesday categorically denied that the current political environment and reported disunity in the executive are having a negative effect on their ability to do their work.

A ministerial delegation from government’s economic cluster, consisting of among others Gugile Nkwinti (Rural Development and Land Reform), Rob Davies (Trade and Industry), Des van Rooyen (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), Naledi Pandor (Science and Technology) and Lindiwe Zulu (Small Business Development) briefed the media on the initiatives President Jacob Zuma announced in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 9.

During question time, journalists asked the ministers whether the current environment gives them enough space to achieve their objectives and whether they thought there was “little alignment” between the radical economic transformation objectives pronounced by Zuma and the funds Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan made available in his 2017 Budget Review.

Pandor responded, denying that the budget failed to respond to Zuma’s SONA objectives.

“Land reform is dealt with in an enhanced fashion, as are education and skills development,” she said.

“We are in a constrained environment, but every cent we have we use to support growth and move us from a low growth trajectory and to boost business. What we do need to see beyond the budget and the SONA is the private sector responding to what we need to do to achieve the levels of growth,” Pandor said.

In a separate question, Zulu and Van Rooyen, who remained seated when Gordhan received a standing ovation following the delivery of this 2017 Budget Speech, were asked whether they viewed National Treasury as a “hindrance to the implementation of radical economic transformation”.

Zulu responded, saying she was not going to give reasons for her decision to remain seated. With regard to the budget allocation towards her department, she said budget cuts make it difficult for small and medium enterprises. “But we understand we can’t isolate ourselves. If there’s not enough in the kitty, we can’t behave like a bull in a china shop.”

On the question about Cabinet’s ability to function amid rumours of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle and disunity, Pandor said Cabinet is functioning and doing the work it is supposed to be doing.

“As long as you’re in the executive you’ll continue to do the job you’ve been assigned. As far as I’m aware we’re still in our jobs. The matters you refer to, which are media reports, don’t impact on our work.”

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