Steenhuisen: Whitfield axed for unapproved overseas trip
DA Leader John Steenhuisen says Andrew Whitfield was axed as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition because he travelled abroad without permission.
On Thursday, the Presidency confirmed Whitfield's removal.
Steenhuisen says President Cyril Ramaphosa's response was triggered by a DA-led trip to Washington earlier this year, which was allegedly done without his approval.
Steenhuisen says Whitfield, a DA member, wrote a letter requesting approval for the trip back in February.
" Ten days later, he had not received a reply or any response whatsoever about the trip. Whitfield subsequently wrote to the president to apologise if he had caused offense. Again, he received no response.
"Then yesterday, months after the incident, the president unilaterally removed a DA deputy minister and without a further word on us if he had offended."
"According to the president spokesperson, this move is not part of a broader re-shuffle, and there can therefore be no other conclusion to be drawn other that this is a calculated assault on the second largest party in the governing coalition."
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