ANC cadre deployment policy compromised service delivery, argues DA

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has argued that the African National Congress (ANC)’s cadre deployment policy has compromised service delivery in the country.  

The party is presenting arguments before the High Court in Pretoria in its application for leave to appeal the court's judgement.  

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In 2024, the court dismissed the former opposition party's application to have the policy declared unconstitutional and invalid.  

The DA has argued that the ANC’s cadre deployment policy flies in the face of Section 197, Subsection 3 of the Constitution, which stipulates that no employee of the public service may be favoured or prejudiced only because that person supports a particular political party or cause.  

It makes this submission in response to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria’s finding that there is nothing unconstitutional about a political party influencing the policy direction of government, including the appointment of senior personnel to the public service.  

However, the DA argues that Section 197 does not permit any political influence when appointments are made to the public service, because the political principle in the provision precludes political considerations when public sector appointments are made.