'I don’t have double standards': Ramaphosa says he'll fire Cabinet members if credible evidence is presented

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will dismiss members from his Cabinet if there’s credible evidence that leads to them being criminally charged. 

He has dismissed claims from some members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that he does not treat all ministers who are accused of corruption equally.

While he suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, he moved Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane from the justice portfolio following allegations of corruption against her.

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As an ad hoc committee was probing alleged interference in police operations by suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu, in the NCOP, the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Nicola du Plessis asked the president what measures he had in place to root out corruption in his Cabinet.

Ramaphosa responded that the rule of law, and due process had to be followed before a minister is dismissed.

"No member of the Cabinet is above the law. And when credible evidence is tabled and presented, we will take action."

But the DA’s Mzamo Billy and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s Mampuru Mampuru both questioned his treatment of Simelane following allegations linking her to the looting of the VBS Mutual Bank.

"I don’t have double standards. As the person who appoints people to the national executive of the country, I do evaluate various matters rather carefully."

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said he’s accepted an explanation from his deputy, Paul Mashatile, for failing to declare a diamond gift to Parliament as plausible. 

Mashatile was fined R10,000 by Parliament for the omission after saying he wanted to obtain a value for the diamond gifted to his wife by diamond dealer, Louis Liebenberg, before declaring it.