The Commission on Gender Equality on Tuesday questioned whether Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is being set up for failure because she is a woman.
”This occurrence, caused by apparent administrative lapses, demonstrates lack of appropriate support to this position of high responsibility, previously occupied by men who never experienced similar kinds of problems,” the commission said in a statement.
Spokesperson Yvonne Mogadime said the commission is wondering whether the incident, where a trip to the United Kingdom by Mlambo-Ngcuka cost tax payers an estimated R4,55-million, was designed to set the country’s first female deputy president up for failure because of her gender.
The commission said the incident might have a negative effect on Mlambo-Ngcuka’s support base and on her performance as deputy president.
”It is of utmost importance that when women are placed in positions of magnitude responsibility, such as the deputy president, they have to be supported efficiently in order for them to enhance their performance in the interest of our nation, without unnecessary distractions,” said the statement.
The defence ministry, responsible for making travel arrangements for the president and his deputy, said the plane transporting Mlambo-Ngcuka had been hired by someone in the Department of Defence without authorisation by either the ministry, the secretary of defence or the acting chief of the South African National Defence Force.
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota emphasised that the Presidency could not to be blamed for hiring the plane.
A board of inquiry was being set up to investigate the matter, a move supported by the commission.
”The CGE supports the call for a probe by the Defence Ministry to put this matter into perspective and avoid similar repetitions.” — Sapa