The decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, into his Executive has raised questions about the separation of powers between Parliament and the Executive.
Some analysts say the decision has breached the separation of powers while others have defended the President’s decision.
Congress of the People (Cope) is one of the parties which have questioned the President’s decision.
“It cannot be that one arm of government can withdraw and redeploy another member of the arm of government. This causes a very serious disruption of the functioning of both the Executive and Parliament. Where is the new Minister of Defence Thandi Modise? Why was she not sworn in?'”
The spokesperson for Parliament Moloto Mothapo says the Modise was out of the country when other new ministers were sworn in.
Other analysts have joined the fray asking if the President’s announcement was procedural.
The National Assembly is still in recess and is expected to resume its business in a week’s time.
The appointment of Thandi Modise raises questions about separation of powers:
