POLITICAL NEWS - Ramaphosa began his addressing by talking about how government was working to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and rebuild the country, especially after the recent riots in KZN and Gauteng.
He said he was reshuffling Cabinet to increase the state’s capacity to run the country.
Ramaphosa has become known for preferring stability over change, unlike the regular reshuffles preferred by his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. However, recent events have made a reshuffle inevitable, and numerous heads are expected to roll along with more predictable changes.
Mkhize was put on special leave after being implicated in a corruption scandal involving his department. He said in his resignation letter that he was leaving to bring greater stability to the health department during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic.
Other changes were set to include a replacement for the late Jackson Mthembu and perhaps a shake-up in the security cluster following last month’s looting and insurrection debacle, which put the defence minister, police minister and state security minister in the possible firing line.
Ramaphosa said on Thursday he was “grateful” to Mkhize for resigning.
Ramaphosa said he had also agreed to Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s request to be “released” after he initially responded to the call to head up Treasury after Ramaphosa became the president.
“I wish him well in his endeavours and I am sure he will continue to excel and be available for certain tasks to serve our people.”
He said the department of human settlements and water and sanitation would be separated again and operated as separate ministries.
The ministry of state security would be “done away with”, with the responsibilities for intelligence services placed within the Presidency and allowing the president to more directly safeguard the nation.
Thandi Modise was then announced as the new minister of defence in a surprise move that will see her having to step down as Speaker of Parliament.
Mondli Gungubele was announced as the new minister in the presidency.
Khumbudzo Ntshaveni is the new minister of digital technology.
Joe Phaahla will take over the health department.
Mmamoloko Kubayi will head up human settlements.
Public service and administration now falls under Ayanda Dlodlo.
Tourism will now be led by Lindiwe Sisulu while water and sanitation will fall under Senzo Mchunu.
Long-running defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be deployed to a new position, though what that will be was not specified.
Ramaphosa also announced a number of new deputy ministers, with Zizi Kodwa as the deputy minister in the presidency responsible for state security the most significant.
Ramaphosa also said an expert panel was to be appointed to lead an investigation of the insurrection against the state that unfolded last month.
Sydney Mufamadi was appointed as the state security adviser.
