FF+ leader Groenewald hits back at critics objecting to his appointment as correctional services minister
His emergence as a minister has sparked much criticism, with some in the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) suggesting prisoners will be subjected to racism.
FF+ leader Dr Pieter Groenewald. Picture: Facebook
JOHANNESBURG - Freedom Front Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, has hit back at critics who've raised objections over his appointment to the correctional services portfolio.
Groenewald is among several MPs from various political parties who were appointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet on Sunday night.
His emergence as a minister has sparked much criticism, with some in the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) suggesting prisoners will be subjected to racism.
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But Groenewald said he would not be deterred and planned to perform his duties with utmost diligence.
"The EFF is worried that they will end up in jail while I'm correctional services minister. My aim is to ensure that we must fight corruption in correction services and that in the end, there must be proper and sustainable rehabilitation programmes. But of course, it is clear the EFF is worried about that."
At the same time, Groenewald said that he would not be among the ministers who enjoyed blue lights and state-funded bodyguards.
"I don’t believe in blue lights, I don’t want to be driven around in blue lights. I think it's unnecessary because ministers are used to getting late for appointments and then they want to use blue lights."