Zuma also rejected calls for her dismissal, saying only in a “funny democracy” would a minister be punished for something that had not yet happened.
He played down the outrage over the social grants debacle, saying he was not prepared to evaluate “isphithiphiti” (commotion).
He said the outrage was premature and Dlamini’s performance could be evaluated only after April 1, when social grants are supposed to be paid.
Zuma was responding to a barrage of questions in the National Assembly from opposition MPs on the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants debacle and on whether he would take any action against Dlamini.
He said ministers had signed performance agreements and there were regular reports on performance.
“It’s a funny democracy to punish a person before they commit a mistake,” he said.
“April 1 has not come. Even as I speak, the Department of Social Development and Treasury are meeting. Only after the 1st you can ask why I have not taken action.”
Zuma’s remarks came just two days after Cash Payment Services (CPS) chief executive Serge Belamant warned that grants would not be paid should they fail to reach an agreement.
Zuma said the government deeply regretted the current situation.
“We will ensure that there is never again any apprehension with regard to the payments of social grants to our people,” he said.
He also distanced himself from his lawyer Michael Hulley’s direct involvement in the Sassa contract with CPS.
The session went without any serious disruptions, owing to the entire Economic Freedom Fighters caucus’s absence from the house.
