President Cyril Ramaphosa announced changes to the national executive on Thursday, 5 August. This comes after the planned insurrection and unrest recently in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Ramaphosa confirmed Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s request to step down and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s ‘long standing request’ to leave Cabinet has been accepted.
He said the Ministry of Human Settlements has been separated from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. “ At the beginning of this administration, we had brought these two portfolios together on the understanding that the provision of water is closely tied to the development of human settlements. However, the reality is that water is a far broader issue, impacting not only on human settlements, but also on agriculture, industry, mining and environmental management.” Further changes are the Ministry of State Security has been replaced with the State Security Agency in the Presidency. “This is to ensure that the country’s domestic and foreign intelligence services more effectively enable the President to exercise his responsibility to safeguard the security and integrity of the nation,” said Ramaphosa.
Newly appointed Ministers:
The Presidency: Mondli Gungubele
Communications and Digital Technologies: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Defence and Military Veterans: Thandi Modise
Finance: Enoch Godongwana
Health: Joe Phaahla
Human Settlements: Mmamoloko Kubayi
Public Service and Administration: Ayanda Dlodlo
Small Business Development: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
Tourism: Lindiwe Sisulu
Water and Sanitation: Senzo Mchunu
Ramaphosa said that Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be deployed to a new position
Newly appointed Deputy Ministers
The Presidency: Pinky Kekana, Second Deputy Minister Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform: Zoleka Capa, Communications and Digital Technologies: Philly Mapulane Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Thembi Nkadimeng
Health: Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo
Mineral Resources and Energy: Dr Nobuhle Nkabane
Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majake
Small Business Development: Mr Sdumo Dlamini
Transport: Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga
Water and Sanitation: Dikeledi Magadzi
Zizi Kodwa is appointed as Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for state security. Ramaphosa appointed an expert panel to lead a thorough and critical review of the country’s preparedness and the shortcomings in the responses to the looting, violence and unrest. He said the panel will examine the security response and will make recommendations on strengthening capabilities.
The members of the panel are: Prof Sandy Africa (chair), Adv Mojanku Gumbi and Mr Silumko Sokupa Ramaphosa appointed Dr Sydney Mufamadi as National Security Adviser
