Ranjeni Munusamy appointment ‘unwise and ill-considered’ – DA

Following the news that former journalist and corruption-accused Ranjeni Munusamy has landed a key role at National Treasury, South Africans and opposition political parties have been quick to accuse the institution of bad behaviour. 

The latest addition to this voice of descent against the hiring of Munusamy is the Democratic Alliance (DA), who said on Thursday that the appointment of a person implicated by the State Capture Commission of having accepted illicit payments from members of the Crime Intelligence agency is “unwise and ill-considered”. 

Mboweni has ‘let himself down’ over Munusamy appointment

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Finance, said that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, who is ultimately responsible for the hiring of Munusamy, needs to maintain a high ethical standard given that he holds such a critical office, and that the appointment has betrayed this obligation. 

“Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is the primary custodian and guardian of the integrity of the National Treasury,” he said. He should always act in a manner that sets the example to the rest of government in probity, clean government and ethical standards.”

“In this context, the appointment of Ms Ranjeni Munusamy in the Office of the Minister is unwise and ill-considered. The appointment should be reversed until such time as the allegations Ms Munusamy faces have been properly tested and aired.”

Hill-Lewis said that Treasury has been infiltrated by corruption accused individuals “for the first time” after Munusamy’s inclusion, but noted that Munusamy has not been charged or tried for the allegations she faces. 

“However, they are of a serious and credible nature, and her explanation of events is so suspicious – that it would have been better not to make this appointment until such time and if she has been cleared of all accusations,” he said. 

DA calls for reversal of appointment  

Hill-Lewis then said that his party urges Mboweni to reverse Munusamy’s appointment.

“We have also submitted parliamentary questions to determine the job description and key performance areas of a “community outreach officer”, level of pay, and what process was followed in making the appointment,” he said. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said on Wednesday that the appointment was the latest in a spate of additions to Treasury of “discredited individuals”, and that Munusamy’s is “taking things too far”. 

“We will not stand by and do nothing when State institutions are being infiltrated by a Cabal of highly compromised individuals.”