DA Suspicious of Mondli Gungubele’s SSA Appointment, Wary of ANC’s Plans

• Mondli Gungubele, the Minister in the Presidency, has been appointed as the new head of the State Security Agency
• The DA believes that President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to appoint Gungubele is playing into ANC factionalism
• The opposition party recognises Gungubele's positive reputation but are concerned that he has no relevant experience to lead the SSA

CAPE TOWN - Mondli Gungubele, the Minister in the Presidency, has been appointed as the new head of the State Security Agency (SSA). However, his appointment has been met with criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The DA believes that President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to appoint Gungubele is playing into ANC factionalism and is designed to benefit the ruling party by choosing one of their leaders to fulfil a mandated role as a watchdog that holds the country's leadership accountable.

The DA does not believe that he will adhere to this mandate, but rather that he will excuse the ANC's faults, News24 reports. The opposition party recognises Gungubele's positive reputation but are concerned that he has no relevant experience to lead the SSA.

The structure of the SSA

In 2021 Ramaphosa restructured the SSA to be part of the presidency with a minister and deputy minister. The former SSA boss was Ayanda Dlodlo, who received backlash for inadequately addressing the July unrest last year, according to eNCA.

This structure concerns the DA member of parliament, Dianne Kohler Barnard, who expressed that an objective entity must hold the ANC accountable. Kohler Barnard has endorsed Sydney Mufamadi, the intelligence advisor, to be appointed in Gungubele's place.

"If it means losing embarrassments like Lindiwe Sisulu, Lindiwe Zulu, Bheki Cele, or indeed 90% of the ANC Ministers, the country would be better off for it," Kohler Barnard said.

Professor Amanda Gouws from Stellenbosch University's Political Science department told Briefly News that the DA's stance might be exacerbated by the current political climate in South Africa following the release of section one of the State Capture Report. The revelations contained in the report have caused widespread distrust in the ruling party.

South Africans react to Gungubele's appointment

@joykhayelihle remarked:

"They both seem to struggle with reading the constitution."

@MmathapeloShoai shared:

@MosesSibuyi3 said:

"DA drama queens."

@SaaymanBarry believes:

"Dianne Kohler Barnard MP for Minister of State Security. She will control SA's out of control useless spies with an iron fist."

@BozaZomba asked:

Lindiwe Sisulu's Shembe church visit sparks more ANC presidency rumours

In other news about the ANC, Briefly News reported yesterday that since the publication of her first opinion piece, there has been speculation that the Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu is running for the presidential post in the African National Congress.

The suspicion around Sisulu's campaign for the ruling party's presidency seems to have intensified now that she has been spotted paying a visit to the Shembe church in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.

Sisulu has been on the receiving end of criticism for her opinion pieces, with some critics stating that her actions were detrimental, however, Sisulu also has staunch supporters who believe that her comments in relation to the Constitution and the judiciary are valid.

Source: Briefly News