Small Business Development Minister scoffs at calls for her department to be done away with

CAPE TOWN - Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abraham says her department is here to stay.

She was responding to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) Babalwa Mathulelwa questioning her department's existence. 

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Mathuthelwa called for the small business development department to be done away with.

"This is one of those departments that should not exist," Mathuthelwa said during the debate on the department's budget vote. 

"We had agreed in the sixth term of Parliament that this department must be closed." 

But Ndabeni-Abrahams fired back, saying the ten-year-old department plays an important role. 

The minister also took a swipe at the EFF.

"Because others would really want the department to be closed, it tells the story of VBS and other institutions that had to suffer in the hands of those who call themselves honourable. Honourable members, the performance of the department is in the public."