Cape Town - After a Sunday Times report revealed that Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip John Steenhuisen only has a matric qualification, the news quickly spread across social media, and left many criticising the DA member.
According to the report, Steenhuisen could lose his position as chief whip if a proposal that only a Member of Parliament with a university degree be considered for the position is adopted by the party's KwaZulu-Natal caucus to the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.
The matter escalated when the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi aired his thoughts on the matter on social media.
"Madoda, DA Chief Whip @jsteenhuisen doesn’t have a post-matric qualification? If it were a black leader, this article would have even published his Matric results. So as to tarnish his standing as a chief whip for a serious law making institution like parliament #whiteprivilege."
Madoda, DA Chief Whip @jsteenhuisen doesn’t have a post-matric qualification?
If it were a black leader, this article would have even published his Matric results. So as to tarnish his standing as a chief whip for a serious law making institution like parliament #whiteprivilege https://t.co/PZjU1hIVQC
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) November 25, 2018
One Twitter user claimed to have been blocked by Steenhuisen after he asked him about his qualifications:
I asked him if he has a matric certificate (Yes/No) wasn’t judging and he blocked me. So much for being a democrat @Our_DA pic.twitter.com/nxB0kBlYbO
— African (@ali_naka) November 25, 2018
Fellow EFF member Floyd Shivambu also weighed in on the matter. "So @jsteenhuisen doesn’t have a degree or diploma or certificate in anything? His shallowness explains the whole thing."
So @jsteenhuisen doesn’t have a degree or diploma or certificate in anything? His shallowness explains the whole thing. https://t.co/wYEmz5wrLp
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) November 25, 2018
Steenhuisen hit back at the EFF MPs, defending himself, and also drawing attention to the EFF's alleged implication in the VBS Mutual Bank looting.
For all your degrees and qualifications you’re still a bunch of VBS looters and thugs I’m sure those who have suffered as a result of your party’s greed and thuggery have taken cold comfort knowing you had a degree while you betrayed them. https://t.co/l1GCkd0gVn
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) November 25, 2018
Your qualifications have obviously equipped you and your journeymen well for rational debate (beating up journalists) and VBS looting. I would rather be degreelesss and honest than qualified and dishonest like you. https://t.co/1fdDi8KuIC
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) November 25, 2018
These are the requirements to be a member of the National Assembly according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993. https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/constitution-republic-south-africa-act-200-1993
@TheCapeArgus