The controversy surrounding DA leader and agriculture minister John Steenhuisen’s decision to hire a known right-wing podcaster as his chief of staff highlights that cadre deployment isn’t limited to the ANC. According to ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji, Steenhuisen should reconsider hiring Roman Cabanac due to their coalition forced partnerships.
Steenhuisen’s appointment as agriculture minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa under the GNU agreements also brought attention to cadre deployment beyond the ANC. Malatji mentioned that the ANC deploys educated politicians, unlike other parties in coalitions.
Malatji criticized Steenhuisen for seeking approval to appoint staff who did not meet requirements, questioning the DA’s hiring practices. He emphasized that racist individuals like Cabanac should not hold government positions, urging for unity against racism.
He called for equal standards in hiring practices for black and white individuals in government and highlighted the ANC’s commitment to employing qualified individuals. Malatji pointed out that the DA’s cadre deployment records in the Western Cape reveal discrepancies.