What is Fikile Mbalula thinking when he tweets out that he has landed in Ukraine over the weekend with no explanation or reasoning for being there, and come Monday morning, he fails to answer a question from the media about his cryptic tweet?
For the record, there’s simply no way Mbalula set foot in Ukraine.
Stephen Grootes thinks Mbalula’s erratic behaviour and the controversial things he has said during his time in politics comes as a consequence of there being no consequences for cabinet ministers who step out of line.
Grootes writes that Mbalula’s Twitter antics give the impression he isn’t particularly interested in the responsibilities of doing his job (being transport minister) and is more concerned with attention-seeking and focusing on other issues that aren’t within his purview.
“Mbalula’s behaviour may be a consequence of the fact that he has been allowed to act in this way for many years with no visible checks on his conduct,” writes Grootes.
And it’s a pattern of behaviour that has extended throughout the cabinet with others saying and doing as they please without any action taken against them as was the case for Lindiwe Sisulu when she gave her opinion on the SA judiciary a little while ago.
Grootes finds it difficult to imagine presidents Mandela and Mbeki ever letting their cabinet members run amok as Zuma and Ramaphosa have allowed. Grootes cites Mandela’s sacking of his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela from her deputy minister post as evidence of this.
The Sunday Times Daily further lambasted Mbalula’s tweeting habits and commented that it was hardly imaginable that this is the behaviour of a senior government official that has some influence within the governing ANC as well.
The publication called his tweet on landing in Ukraine, insensitive, reckless and unnecessary, while also writing that Mbalula should have nothing to do with foreign relations.
“It was a childish, irresponsible tweet that further muddied the waters of SA diplomacy over a war that has the potential to cause hardship in his own country, depending on just how much food and fuel prices end up spiralling.”
Furthermore, there is mention of Mbalula’s attention-seeking attitude and a reminder of the time he tried to get Beyoncé to perform at the SA sports awards (heaven help us).
If Mbalula or any other senior government official continues to overstep the mark, President Ramaphosa will surely have to deal with them decisively. Somehow, we doubt that’s going to be the case.
Here’s a roundup of interesting opinions, analyses, and editorials:
Untangling the narrative web surrounding South Africa’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict – Daily Maverick
The rouble is rubble – but do economic sanctions work? – Daily Maverick
SA needs understanding of geopolitical and economic impact of the conflict before choosing sides – The Citizen (for subscribers)
Carol Paton | Zondo offers ANC a historic opportunity. But can it grab it? – Fin24 (for subscribers)
Ralph Mathekga | Battle on for the ANC top 6 but should we expect more of the same? – News24 (for subscribers)
Pieter du Toit | The liberal order is the problem, and that’s why Ramaphosa and the ANC support a dictator – News24 (for subscribers)
TOM EATON: We need a Russian bully like a hole in the head or a knife in bed – Business Day (for subscribers)
