MINISTER ARROGANCE REAPPEARS AS COURT HAMMER COMES CRASHING DOWN
In a stark reminder that power does not equal might, Minister Mondli Gungubele suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the law last week when his leave to appeal against a high court judgement was dismissed with costs.
The beleaguered minister’s latest humiliation followed a long-standing dispute with the suspended board of SITA, with the controversy centring around a whopping salary boost for the company’s then-managing director, Bongani Mabaso. An adjustment to Mabaso’s take-home pay required the minister’s personal approval, which he refused, leading to the impasse that ultimately cost him dearly.
BOOM: MINISTER FACES DEFEAT AFTER DEFEAT
Undeterred by his previous setbacks, the minister decided to take his case to the full bench of the North Gauteng High Court or the Supreme Court of Appeal. However, in a scathing rebuke, Justice Yende dismissed the minister’s application for leave to appeal, stating that it lacked merit.
BUT WHY MUST THE MINISTER’S ARROGANCE KNOW NO BOUNDS?
Justice Yende delivered a searing indictment of the minister’s decision-making, declaring: "I am not of the view that on the grounds of appeal raised by the applicant, the appeal would have a reasonable prospect of success. I find that it would be counter-intuitive to grant leave to appeal in the circumstances where the applicant has failed dismally to clearly demonstrate that this court has erred and/or misdirected itself."
It seems the minister’s inability to accept the reality of his own mistakes continues to thwart his efforts to stem the tide of adversity. One can’t help but wonder if this latest failure will be the catalyst for a belated acknowledgment of his own limitations – or will he continue down the path of arrogance and defiance, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the writing on the wall?
