MK Party files ethics complaint against Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen

Cape Talk and 702's Mandy Wiener chats to Mzwanele Manyi, MK Party Member of Parliament.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has filed a formal complaint with the Public Protector against President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, accusing them of breaching the Executive Members’ Ethics Act. 

Manyi explains that the complaint stems from a May visit to the White House, during which Steenhuisen, speaking alongside Ramaphosa, allegedly mischaracterised opposition parties - including the MK Party - as "rebels" and "destroyers" being kept out of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

"It's reckless...in fact, it borders on treasonous."

- Mzwanele Manyi, Member of Parliament - MK Party

He claims Steenhuisen abused his cabinet position to advance partisan interests while overseas, and criticised Ramaphosa for failing to intervene. 

The MK Party is accusing the president of passively endorsing remarks that undermined other political parties. 

The party argues this conduct amounts to an abuse of office and a violation of constitutional duties.

"This is a DA self-interest issue that is being articulated using a cabinet position, and this is an abuse of office. This happens in the full view of Mr Ramaphosa, who is just sitting there smiling from end to end... He himself has got a duty in terms of the Constitution to defend and uphold the Constitution...by default, he is endorsing that position."

 - Mzwanele Manyi, Member of Parliament - MK Party

Responding to questions about the timing, Manyi says the party had taken time to verify the context and content of Steenhuisen’s remarks before taking formal action. 

He has dismissed claims of political opportunism, stating the complaint was not about seeking inclusion in the GNU, but about holding executive members accountable and protecting the legitimacy of the MK Party’s position in South African politics.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.