Four months on, DA’s deputy minister seat still empty

Four months ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Andrew Whitfield. To date, no replacement has been announced to fill the vacancy. 

In response to Newsday’s questions on the ongoing vacancy, spokesperson for the Presidency Vincent Magwenya told Newsday to “ask the DA, in particular the office of leader John Steenhuisen.”

When questioned by Newsday about the delays in appointing a replacement for Whitfield, the party said that the decision-making process is “ongoing” and that DA Leader John Steenhusien will “communicate once he is ready to do so.”

The delay in announcing a DA replacement for the position comes after Steenhuisen said Whitfield’s removal would “put South Africa’s future at risk” as he was the only one standing in the way of the implementation of the Transformation Fund.

The Transformation Fund is an initiative of the DTIC to operationalise a R100 billion fund to support black-owned small businesses. The DA expressed concerns that the fund will repeat the same, race-based interventions that have failed to deliver in the past.

According to City Press, Steenhuisen recently blamed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lack of communication for the delays in appointing a new deputy minister.

He said that he would like to appoint a replacement for Whitfield, but he cannot get a meeting with Ramaphosa to approve the replacement. 

“It is his prerogative who should serve in the executive, so I would obviously want to clear it with him first rather than just announce a name,” he said. 

Ramaphosa, on the other hand, told the SABC that he was waiting for Steenhuisen to give him a name. 

Ramaphosa has recently come under fire for alleged double standards in his disciplinary actions. In a recent parliamentary plenary, the President said that he will act against any member of his cabinet who contravenes the law. 

The President was previously questioned on why Whitfield was dismissed when Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, accused of corruption by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, was only placed on precautionary suspension. 

‘South Africa’s future at risk’ – DA

The President responded that Whitfield had violated the rules for members of the executive, whereas the allegations against Mchunu are still untested. 

The cabinet position of Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition was one of six deputy minister positions granted to the DA in the formation of the Government of National Unity. 

The DA also won six Ministerial positions. The DA’s pick for the role in the DTIC, Whitfield, lasted all of one year.

In June 2025, Ramaphosa explained that Whitfield was removed for taking an international visit without the permission of the President. 

“His travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive,” Ramaphosa said. 

Steenhuisen was warned by the President before Whitfield was removed, according to Ramaphosa. 

Prior to his removal, Ramaphosa asked Steenhuisen to present a replacement for Whitfield to him from his party, as the DA is entitled to the Deputy Minister position, as agreed. 

Steenhuisen said, however, that he was not given fair warning before Whitfield was dismissed. The DA leader requested 24 hours to meet with his party, but Whitfield was dismissed only three hours later. 

According to the DA, Whitfield had requested permission for his travels ten days before his departure, but received no reply from the President.

The DA continues to criticize the DTIC, from outside the department. Most recently, for its plans to borrow money to implement the Transformation Fund 

The Party’s spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition, Toby Chance, condemned the department’s plan to borrow between R34 and R50 billion from Afreximbank.

“We strongly oppose borrowing billions for another ANC-controlled fund,” he said. The DA stands against using borrowed funding to support, not job creation and competitiveness, but “ANC ideological schemes.”

“It is clear that Minister Parks Tau does not believe businesses will pay into his proposed ‘voluntary levy’ to fund his project, which would take 3% of their annual turnover,” said Chance.

“Instead of admitting defeat, he wants to borrow billions that ordinary taxpayers will be left to pay if the Fund’s loans fail.”