PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma knows how to score own goals. I’m not saying that because of his religious statements in Mthatha at the weekend, where he likened a vote for the ANC to a ticket to heaven. That doesn’t worry me one bit. Only last week he told the Proteas that they have never let the country down (Really?). That’s just a laughing matter since he demonstrated that he had not followed our previous World Cup performances. Sometimes we need to laugh at the things he says, like his advice to the Proteas – that batsmen must hit the ball out the stadium so it doesn’t get bowled again. The Proteas laughed – and so did I.

 But he did score one serious own goal last week.I am referring to the removal of Jimmy Manyi as the Director General of Labour, and his redeployment as the head of government communications. He was suspended by then labour minister Membathisi Mdladlana last year following a public falling out between the two. He was charged with misconduct and insubordination, but the disciplinary process was never concluded. The redeployment effectively killed the disciplinary process. Either the case was too weak or insignificant as far as the President is concerned. If it was too weak, why not say so?

 He scored an own goal, which has the potential to discredit the government’s disciplinary system. The Department of Public Service and Administration has set the prevention of the act of migration- employees changing departments to avoid disciplinary proceedings – as a problem to be attacked.  The department’s latest anti corruption initiative has promised to deal with migration. Saving Manyi from a DC can affect the public’s confidence in the government’s disciplinary system. Appointing an official, with a DC hanging over his head, makes mockery of the process.