Sunday, 6 April 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the blatant and irregular appointments being forced through by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson to senior positions in government, while there is looming doubt over the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) continued stay in the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU). In a desperate attempt to entrench political patronage in senior positions before the speculated exit of the DA from government, Macpherson has embarked on a mission to appoint unqualified individuals who are aligned to the DA into key roles without due process.

The Minister is abusing the newly issued circular from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), which removes the requirement for consultation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration on contract appointments. This reckless manoeuvre is being exploited to sideline transparent recruitment processes and impose hand-picked allies into critical government positions.

The following appointments are at the centre of this unlawful interference:

1. Sean Cox- Currently irregularly appointed through the DBSA as Chief Director of Stakeholder Management in the DG’s office. The Minister is now pressuring HR to immediately appoint him on a 12-month contract as Chief Director in the DG’s office, despite his lack of qualifications for the position. Sean Cox is a former official on the DA-led Tshwane administration under Mayor Cilliers Brink and is therefore being awarded for his political ties rather than competence.

2. Michael Beyleveld- Currently the Minister’s Chief of Staff. The Minister is pressuring HR to appoint him as Chief Director of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR), bypassing all the proper recruitment procedures.

3. James de Villiers- Currently serving as the Minister’s Media Liaison Officer. The Minster is now unlawfully manoeuvring to appoint him as Director of Communications for two years without any competitive process.

4. Luke Albert- Presently a Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Minister. The Minister is attempting to place him as Deputy Director in the DG’s Office, and once again without following due process.

These appointments expose the GNU’s true nature: a corrupt arrangement where political elites prioritise cronyism over merit. It is unacceptable that a critical department like Public Works, which is supposed to serve the people by ensuring infrastructure development and job creation, is being turned into a patronage network for DA-linked individuals.

The EFF demands that all recruitment in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure be conducted transparently, fairly and based on qualifications and merit. We will not allow the Minister to manipulate state institutions to benefit political allies while millions of South Africans remain unemployed and deprived of opportunities.

We call on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to urgently intervene and stop this unlawful interference in the hiring process. If these irregular appointments proceed, the EFF will explore all legal and parliamentary avenues to hold the Minister accountable.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572