President Cyril Ramaphosa nominates Justice Mahube Betty Molemela as Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Image: GCIS.
This is when Ramaphosa will reshuffle the cabinet – report
Ramaphosa’s long-awaited cabinet reshuffle has reportedly been delayed due to his illness. He is expected to fill several vacancies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa nominates Justice Mahube Betty Molemela as Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Image: GCIS.
It feels like President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle has been imminent since the election results at the African National Congress’ (ANC) in December 2022 shook up the governing party’s leadership structure. Nearly three months later, the president’s cabinet remains the same, and another spanner has reportedly been thrown in the works.
RAMAPHOSA REPORTEDLY ILL
Ramaphosa was expected to change his cabinet after his State of the Nation Address (SONA); later, there were indications that he would make the changes after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his budget speech on 22 February.
READ: Ramaphosa to announce Minister of Electricity, shuffle cabinet after budget speech
This week, the Presidency said the reshuffle would happen “in a matter of days.” On Tuesday, Deputy President David Mabuza’s resignation as an MP added more urgency to the matter.
READ: Cabinet shuffle: The Cat is gone – Deputy President David Mabuza resigns as MP
On Friday, News24 reported Ramaphosa was going to announce the changes to his cabinet on Thursday but had to postpone because he fell ill.
The President reportedly suffered from a cold and called off a meeting with ANC officials, in which he would finalise the cabinet changes, at the last minute on Thursday.
ANC insiders reportedly told the publication that there is every indication Ramaphosa would announce the changes to his cabinet on Sunday.
Cabinet reshuffle expected to fill vacancies
David Mabuza must be replaced as deputy president. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was elected ANC Secretary General at the December conference. It is a full-time position, and Ramaphosa will have to announce his replacement as well.
The other vacancy that needs to be filled is the position of Minister of Public Service and Administration. As previously reported, the role has been empty for over a year after Ayanda Dlodlo was appointed as an executive director on the board of the World Bank in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has filled the position in an acting capacity since April 2022.
The country also eagerly waits to hear who will be appointed Minister of Electricity in the Presidency to help guide South Africa from the load shedding crisis.
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