MINISTER’S POWER PLAY EXPOSED: GUNGUBELE REFUSES TO BACK DOWN AS COURT REJECTS APPEAL
Pretoria’s High Court has delivered a crushing blow to Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele’s bid to appeal a ruling ordering the reinstatement of the State IT Agency (Sita) board he unceremoniously fired in July 2023. But Gungubele’s defiant stance has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about his commitment to accountability and transparency.
The court’s decision to reject Gungubele’s application for leave to appeal has left the minister in a precarious position, with many wondering how he plans to salvage the Sita debacle. The embattled minister has been accused of using his powers to appoint and fire board members at whim, sparking fears of a vendetta against those who dared to challenge him.
The drama began when Gungubele fired the Sita board, citing a dispute over the appointment of a new CEO, Bongani Mabaso. But insiders claim the real reason was Gungubele’s desire to assert his control over the agency and sideline those who might oppose him.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions are being raised about Gungubele’s fitness to serve as a minister. His refusal to comply with the court’s ruling has sparked accusations of contempt and disregard for the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the Sita board remains suspended, leaving the agency’s operations in limbo. Sources close to the agency have revealed fresh allegations of malfeasance and mismanagement, casting a dark shadow over the organization’s future.
The battle over the Sita board is far from over, with both sides dug in and unwilling to back down. But one thing is clear: the public’s trust in the minister and the agency has been severely damaged, and it will take more than a simple apology to repair the damage.
