Cap the Size of Cabinet

South Africans deserve a government that is efficient, accountable, and focused on service delivery. The Constitution currently allows the President to appoint an unlimited number of Ministers. While this flexibility may have been intended to allow effective governance, it has created the potential for cabinet expansion without constitutional limits.

In an era of coalition politics, the temptation exists to create additional ministerial positions to accommodate political interests rather than improve government performance. This increases the burden on taxpayers, creates administrative duplication, and weakens accountability.

  • Closes: 1 December 2024
Make your voice heard
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In the media

Speak up, be heard, take a stand!

Free SA is calling for a constitutional amendment that places a firm limit on the number of Cabinet Ministers to ensure a lean, effective, and affordable executive.

  • I support a constitutional amendment to limit the size of South Africa's Cabinet to no more than twenty Ministers.
  • The Constitution should promote efficient government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. An unlimited Cabinet creates opportunities for unnecessary expansion, particularly during coalition negotiations, at significant cost to taxpayers.
  • South Africa needs a leaner executive focused on delivering services and growing the economy rather than expanding government structures.

Current Constitutional Provision

Section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution currently states:

“The President may select any number of Ministers from among the members of the Assembly.”

Proposed Amendment

Replace Section 91(3)(b) with:

“The President may select not more than twenty Ministers from among the members of the National Assembly.”

More about this campaign

Key concerns:

  • There is currently no constitutional limit on the number of Ministers.

  • Coalition governments may expand Cabinet positions to accommodate political parties rather than improve governance.

  • Larger cabinets increase costs to taxpayers through salaries, support staff, offices, security, vehicles, and administration.

  • Ministerial overlap creates inefficiency and confusion.

  • Excessively large cabinets dilute accountability and slow decision-making.

What we're advocating for

Free SA supports:

  • A constitutional limit of twenty Ministers.

  • A smaller, more efficient executive.

  • Reduced government expenditure.

  • Greater ministerial accountability.

  • Protection against political expansion of Cabinet for coalition management purposes.

How you can help

Add your voice to this constitutional reform proposal. By supporting a constitutional cap on Cabinet size, you are supporting a government that is focused on delivery rather than political accommodation.

Every submission made through Free SA is formally submitted and forms part of the democratic process.

In the media

Free SA urges Ramaphosa to trim cabinet
Publication 2

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