Cyril silently fires DA memeber from ministry position

by Mathipa Phishego 

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office fired the Deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Trade, Andrew Whitfeld for a trip to the United States of America without the presidents authority in March 2025.

According to Eye Witness News, the Democratic Alliance is set to have an emergency council meeting. It reported that some of the cabinet memebers are fuming. 

Later Thursday during Revenue Bill discussion. DA Leader, John Steenhuisen touched the matter stating that Ramaphosa firing Whitfeld is a calculated assault and abuse of power.

History has the similarities of the axing in the South African politics. 

Former Deputy Minister of Trade,  Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfeld. 

image: KougaNews on X

In 1995 former President Nelson Mandela, dismissed Winnie-Madikizela Mandela for taking an unauthorized international personal trip.

However in 2007 Former president Thabo Mbeki once dismissed Nozizwe Madlala-Routlege for attending a HIV/AIDS conference in Madrid without permission. 

Speaking on 702 on Afternoon Drive, the now Former Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition with John Perlman. Claimed that he sent a request for his trip ten days before and it was not replied. He further emphasized that his letters are never replied to.