One of the major challenges of the current governance is managing differences within the government, and recently the unilateral withdrawal of the SABC Bill by the Minister of Communications, Solly Malatsi, caused tensions within the cabinet. However, this situation was eventually defused after cabinet members acknowledged that the withdrawal was not motivated by malice.
Khumbuzo Ntshaveni, the cabinet spokesperson and Minister in the Presidency, said that Deputy President Paul Mashatile had written a letter to parliament effectively quashing Malatsi’s attempted withdrawal.
It was stressed that the Bill was an executive bill and that Minister Malatsi did not have the authority to unilaterally withdraw it without cabinet approval. Malatsi was advised to follow the protocols in place for such procedures and to make a formal request to do so.
It has emerged that the withdrawal of the bill has also provoked reactions within the ANC caucus, as well as from his predecessor and current deputy, Mondli Gungubele, who had tabled the bill in parliament.
Malatsi justified his action by saying that the bill had several shortcomings, which led to his decision to withdraw it in order to focus on developing a more sustainable funding model for the SABC.
Such debates can prove to be an obstacle to government effectiveness, as is also demonstrated by the ongoing dispute between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance over the Basic Education Amendment Act (Bela).
This situation demonstrates the need for effective communication and cooperation within government to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts that could hamper the progress of priority projects for the country.
It therefore appears crucial that members of the government work hand in hand, in compliance with established procedures, to ensure the proper functioning of the government apparatus and the achievement of the objectives set for the well-being of the nation.