Minister defends Rasool post

Former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool's appointment as ambassador to the US will not be reconsidered until allegations that journalists were paid to write favourable reports about him have been proven. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane categorically stated yesterday that this decision would not be influenced by the ANC's admission that Rasool's recall was partly because of the allegations. Rasool stood down in 2008 and was redeployed to the Presidency.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told reporters last month that Rasool "was removed (as premier) partly on the basis of this case". He was referring to an affidavit by former Cape Argus reporter Ashley Smith who has claimed he wrote articles favourable to Rasool in return for which money was paid to a communications company in which he had an interest. Smith also said that Rasool had on several occasions discussed with him and then-Cape Argus political editor Joseph Aranes - who had also helped to set up the communications company - a media strategy for Rasool's political battles with rivals in the ANC.

Answering questions in the National Assembly yesterday, Nkoana-Mashabane was tackled by opposition party MPs who suggested her department was lax in appointing Rasool despite doubts about him within the ANC's leadership. "The allegation remains an allegation throughout the proper processes," she said. "So I will not take a quotation from the press conference to be a basis for me to make those considerations. "I can say that we've read about these allegations in the newspapers and the allegations have not been proven, therefore he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise."

The minister cautioned that people should not be judged "if there are due processes of law taking place. When the time comes, and that (issue) comes into play, we will take the necessary action," said Nkoana-Mashabane. She was asked by DA MP Stevens Mokgalapa what criteria and recommendations her department provided the president to select ambassadors and whether Rasool's appointment fitted those criteria. Nkoana-Mashabane made it clear that it remained President Jacob Zuma's prerogative to appoint the heads of mission who represent him abroad. Criteria included the experience and profile of recommended designates, she said.

Mokgalapa then honed in on Mantashe's admission, and was followed by more questions from Cope, IFP and ACDP MPs about the apparent inconsistency in appointing Rasool to such a high post when there had been doubts about his profile in the ruling party. "Don't you think this smacks of double standards?" asked Mokgalapa. The IFP's Koos van der Merwe said he found it "very strange that the minister actually rejects her party's secretary-general's statement. I want to ask the minister and through her the president - is it not wiser and better to wait until the law has taken its course before a person is appointed to such a high position," he said. Cope MP Mluleki George weighed in: "Why do you make such important positions, as you explained, a sanctuary for party members who have done some wrong in the country?"

The minister lashed out, calling them "opportunistic" because they had not opposed Rasool's nomination when it was announced.

Source: IoL