Nuanced Approach Critical in Tackling South Africa's Cadre Deployment Crisis

Public administration and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa have seen the damaging effects of cadre deployment, a practice which lacks the nuanced approach advocated by UWC academic Dr. Seelan Naidoo. While cadre deployments within political parties are uncontested, given the freedom of association enjoyed by such entities under South African law, their permeation into public administration and SOEs has resulted in a severe blow to the nation's welfare.

As per Section 195 of the Constitution, public administration should abide by principles frequently overlooked today, causing detriment to South Africa's denizens. An example is the insufficiency of electricity supply by Eskom, the defunct SAA and three other airlines which result from cadre deployments.

Cadre deployment has severely compromised the delivery of basic rights such as water, education, healthcare and municipal services. Appointing Bheki Cele as police commissioner and Menzi Simelane to lead the NPA has significantly weakened our criminal justice administration.

The cadres, who are all expected to be loyal to the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), find themselves conflicted between their loyalty and the mandate to execute lawful government policies – as the NDR contrasts significantly with the Constitution. This conflict of interests has seen the premature departure of cadre appointees from key posts, indicating a failure in the cadre deployment system.

The much-needed nuance in cadre deployment will become apparent when the judgement is made in the DA's case to have the practice declared illegal. Until then, the harmful effects of such practice continue to impede the nation's progress.