Ebrahim Rasool
| Ebrahim Rasool | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Premier of the Western Cape | |
| In office 22 April 2004 – 25 July 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Marthinus van Schalkwyk |
| Succeeded by | Lynne Brown |
| South African Ambassador to the United States | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 4 August 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Welile Nhlapo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1962 District Six, Cape Town, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Rosieda Shabodien |
| Children | 1 son and 1 daughter |
| Parents | Ismail and Aziza Rasool |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
| Religion | Islam |
Ebrahim Rasool (born 15 July 1962, Cape Town, South Africa) is a South African politician who also served as the South African Ambassador to the United States.[1] between 2010 and 2015. He was replaced by H.E. Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu who presented his Credentials to President Barack Obama on Monday, 23 February 2015. Ebrahim Rasool was the Premier of the Western Cape province from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the African National Congress.
Whilst he was Premier Rasool launched an aggressive series of anti-gang policies that targeted gang members economic interests and stepped up police investigations into alleged gang leaders. Following the arrest of gang leader Quinton ‘Mr Big’ Marinus Rasool and then Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety and political ally Leonard Ramatlakane started receiving death threats allegedly from the Chinese Triads.[2] This led Ramatlakane to controversially spend R347,716 of public money on security improvements to his home.[3]
On 14 July 2008, Rasool was recalled from the position of premier by the National Executive Committee of the ANC, as a precursor to the recall of former President Thabo Mbeki. His successor was Economic Development and Tourism MEC Lynne Brown.
In July 2010, Rasool was appointed South Africa's ambassador to the United States.
Controversy
In 2010 before being deployed to the United States an investigation was launched into allegations that Rasool was paying political reporters in a mainstream newspaper to write articles that portrayed him favourably. This investigation is currently stalled due to material witnesses refusing to cooperate with the investigation.[4]
Bibliography
- Rasool, Ebrahim (Winter 2010). "South African Muslims Over Three Centuries: From the Jaws of Islamophobia to the Joys of Equality" (PDF). Arches Quarterly 4 (7): 147–154.
References
- ↑ "Ambassador's Biography". South African Embassy, Washington D.C. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ↑ Standing, Andre (3 August 2005). "The threat of gangs and anti-gangs policy Policy discussion paper". ISS. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ↑ Joubert, Pearlie (28 August 2007). "Cape gangs: Targeting the untouchables". Mail and Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ↑ "'Brown envelope' probe dropped". SAPA. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Marthinus van Schalkwyk |
Premier of the Western Cape 30 April 2004 – 25 July 2008 |
Succeeded by Lynne Brown |
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