Paul Mashatile Rejects Jobs-for-Pals Claims, SA Amused As He Says ANC Deployments Are Merit-Based
- Paul Mashatile has shot down claims that the African National Congress (ANC) has a job-for-pals approach
- The Deputy President of South Africa insisted that the ANC deployed people to positions based on merit
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Mashatile's comments, asking if he was being serious
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WESTERN CAPE – Paul Mashatile has denied claims that the African National Congress (ANC) deploys unqualified people to lead municipalities.
The Deputy President made the statement while answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, 11 September 2025, in Cape Town. Mashatile answered questions on issues related to municipalities owing water boards, the increase in the unemployment rate and the government's plans to address it, and the government's efforts to empower and support non-profit organisations.
He also spoke about the widespread collapse of service delivery at the local government level and what was being done to address this. Large parts of the country experience problems with a lack of service delivery, leading to protests which sometimes turn violent.
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What did Mashatile say about cadre deployment?
In response to Democratic Alliance (DA) member, Frederik Badenhorst’s assertions that the ANC practised cadre deployment, which led to the collapse of many municipalities, Mashatile said that this was not true.
Mashatile said the skills problem at municipalities was at the ward level, where citizens decided who their ward councillor candidates should be. The Deputy President also stated that cadre deployment was not a jobs-for-pals scheme but was actually merit-based.
"Honourable Frederik Badenhorst is saying that maybe we do deploy people without skills. I want to assure you that from my party, we don’t do that. I know that when people hear the word cadre development, they think it's jobs-for-pals. That’s not the case," he said.
Source: Getty Images
How did South Africans react to Mashatile’s comments?
Social media users questioned who Mashatile was trying to fool, as no one believed that the ANC didn’t have a jobs-for-pals mentality.
Patience Mavuso asked:
“What's the military rank of Mme Angie? Me being curious, nje.”
Charles Erasmus exclaimed:
“Come on, Paul, I think you're very confused😂.”
Stevo Leps questioned:
“Lol, the Minister of Defence trained at which base and where was she stationed?”
Charles Bongane Bhungane asked:
“So, you're saying Angie is the right person for Minister of Defence?”
Nicole le Roux said:
“Hahaha. What a joke. So, the Minister of Defence has experience in that field?”
Clive Logan stated:
“He should do standup comedy.”
Keith Botes agreed:
“This man is either a comedian or has his head in the sand.”
Mondli Khumalo stated:
“He really doesn't take us seriously.”
ANC slams Senzo Mchunu and Malusi Gigaba for statements against the party
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) slammed National Executive Committee (NEC) members Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba on 18 August 2025 for their recent perspectives on the party's condition.
The party's spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, issued a statement condemning Gigaba and Mchunu's statements. In an interview published on 17 August, Gigaba, who is the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, said that the NEC had lost its way and maintained that the party should have excluded the Democratic Alliance from the Government of National Unity, which was formed in June 2024 after the general elections.
Fikile Mbalula says ANC won't tolerate cadre deployment
Briefly News reported that Fikile Mbalula stated that the ANC would no longer prioritise political connections.
The Secretary-General of the ANC said when it came to deployment, the party would focus on competence.
South Africans were amused by Mbalula's comments, with many saying it was too late for the party to undo the damage.
Source: Briefly News
