Mashatile says ANC is not embarrassed about its cadre deployment policy during NCOP Q&A

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that the African National Congress (ANC) is not "embarrassed" by its practice of cadre deployment policy.

Mashatile was forced to again defend cadre deployment during questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

He told the NCOP that many professionals in the public sector were developed and deployed by the ANC, to the benefit of the country.

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The question also follows recent court rulings that compelled the ANC to release its cadre deployment records to the Democratic Alliance (DA).

While cadre deployment was not on the list of questions for Mashatile, the DA’s Cathlene Labuschagne snuck in the question, and how it affected skills development and service delivery.

“How can you continue to deny that the practice of cadre deployment is the base cause of service delivery failures?” she put to Mashatile, who as deputy president chairs the ANC’s deployment committee.

But Mashatile said the ANC made sure that any deployee had the right skills.

“So, we are not shy to talk about it, we are not embarrassed, because a lot of the people in public service today, top people, have been trained by the ANC.”

Mashatile said many of those deployed to strategic positions were sent to top schools in Europe and the US.