11 August 2007
Following media reports regarding the dismissal of Ms Nozizwe
Madlala-Routledge, the former Deputy Minister of Health, the President has
decided to publish the contents of the letter he wrote to her, in an effort to
prevent further speculation and misrepresentations of facts.
Dear Deputy Minister,
This letter serves to inform you that, acting in terms of the provisions of
clause 93 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, I have decided
to relieve you of your duties as Deputy Minister of Health with effect from
today.
All of us who serve our people through the national government took an oath
or made a solemn affirmation to respect and uphold the Constitution. This same
Constitution calls upon us to, among other things, work collectively to develop
and implement national policies.
I have, during the period you served as Deputy Minister of Defence,
consistently drawn your attention to the concerns raised by your colleagues
about your inability to work as part of a collective, as the Constitution
enjoins us to.
For the same reason, I have also discussed this matter with you as Deputy
Minister of Health.
You travelled to Madrid despite the fact that I had declined your request to
undertake this trip. It is clear to me that you have no intention to abide by
the constitutional prescriptions that bind all of us. For this reason I
suggested to you that you should resign.
It is clear that you do not accept my advice. This leaves me no choice but
to relieve you of your duties.
I thank you for your participation in government over the past years.
Yours sincerely,
THABO MBEKI
Enquiries: Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
11 August 2007
Source: SAPA
