State 'distances itself' from Maphatsoe remarks

Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Kebby Maphatsoe has withdrawn his comments suggesting that Thuli Madonsela is a CIA agent. Image: GCIS

Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Information and Publicity, Minister Jeff Radebe, said the comments by Deputy Minister Maphatsoe were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the views or position of the South African government.

Maphatsoe made the remarks at the tombstone unveiling of an Umkhonto weSizwe combatant in Soweto over the weekend.

"Government distances itself from such accusations, as they were never discussed at any official government meeting nor do they reflect the views and thinking of government," Radebe said.

He said the allegations against any country or persons, including those responsible for guarding and upholding constitutional values, should be raised and addressed at appropriate platforms.

Radebe also reiterated his trust in the country's Chapter 9 institutions saying they contribute towards monitoring the accountability of government, and the transformation of South Africa into a society in which social justice prevails.

"The State institutions," Radebe said, "are independent of government and are subject only to the Constitution and the law. We have created these institutions to ensure that South Africa remains a constitutional state and government remains steadfast in protecting their role," said Radebe.

He said South Africa enjoys a cordial diplomatic relationship with the United States of America.

In a separate development, Maphatsoe has apologised for his remarks and withdrawn them saying his comments were "misinterpreted".

Also, DA Member of Parliament, David Maynier was forced to leave the House of Assembly on Tuesday (9 September) after he referred to Maphatsoe as "an idiot". The Speaker instructed him to withdraw the remark or leave the House but instead, Maynier refused to do so, repeating that Maphatsoe was "an idiot" and then walked out of Parliament during a rowdy sitting in the House.