The Public Protector has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of breaching the executive ethics code following a complaint over his failure to challenge remarks made by Minister John Steenhuisen during an official visit to the White House.
The investigation centred on comments made by Steenhuisen during an Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump on 21 May 2025, where the minister stated that the Democratic Alliance joined the government of national unity to prevent the Economic Freedom Fighters and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party from entering government.
MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi lodged the complaint, alleging that Ramaphosa violated the Executive Ethics Code by failing to correct or disassociate himself from Steenhuisen’s remarks about the status of the two opposition parties in relation to the GNU.
The Public Protector’s investigation included analysis of video recordings, correspondence, constitutional provisions and the Executive Ethics Code. The office found no evidence that the president had breached the code.
The findings revealed that Steenhuisen made the comments in his capacity as a DA leader rather than expressing government policy. The Public Protector determined that Ramaphosa had no legal duty to rebut political statements made by a coalition partner in a diplomatic setting.
The investigation found no indication that the president’s conduct created a conflict between his official responsibilities and any private interest. Allegations under clauses 2.3(c) and 2.3(f) of the code were deemed unsubstantiated, and the matter has been formally closed.
The Public Protector emphasised that political parties retain the constitutional right to articulate their positions, even within coalition governments. The office clarified that such political speech does not automatically constitute executive misconduct.
The ruling provides clarity on the boundaries of executive responsibility within South Africa’s coalition government structure, particularly regarding statements made by coalition partners during international diplomatic engagements.
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