No Cabinet reshuffle: Marape

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
PRIME Minister James Marape has ruled out any Cabinet reshuffle despite two ministers currently facing a leadership tribunal.
The ministers are Telefomin MP Solan Mirism, the Defence Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Commerce and Industry Sam Basil, who is Bulolo MP.
Marape told The National he respected all Cabinet ministers “and there is no vacancy and there is no reshuffle”.
Mirisim had three charges of the 22 allegations of misconduct in office against him struck out by the tribunal after the public prosecutor indicated that the provisions relied upon were wrong and misconceived.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Les Gavara-Nanu, told Mirisim that he would still have to answer to the remaining allegations.
Mirisim had pleaded guilty to declaring false and misleading information in the annual statement for 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.
The tribunal rejected Mirisim’s submission to throw out the remaining allegations.
The three allegations struck out were on the:

  • CORPORATE income tax for Motop Business Group Inc;
  • SALARY and wages tax for Motop Business Group Inc; and,
  • GOODS and service tax for Motop Business Group Inc.

The tribunal inquiring into misconduct allegations against Basil will sit this Friday.