Mashatile could be sworn in as deputy president as Cabinet reshuffle expected

With several members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet not being elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), a reshuffle looks likely.

On Wednesday, after the NEC members were announced, the ANC’s newly-elected secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said he will discuss the make-up of the Cabinet with Ramaphosa.

“I will have a discussion with him, but it is his prerogative. He has to think about the Cabinet. If he’s not thinking about it, that’ll be reckless of him,” said Mbalula.

“He is and should be thinking about it, how to strengthen the executive because from our side, I want a Cabinet that is breathing life into society.” 

Mbalula said if a reshuffle did happen, it would only be next year. Ramaphosa has “the rest of December to think about it,” he said.

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Ministers no longer on ANC NEC

The following ministers did not make it onto the NEC:

• Blade Nzimande 
• Naledi Pandor
• Thulas Nxesi
• Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
• Nathi Mthethwa
• Ebrahim Patel

Another minister, Pravin Gordhan, did not accept his nomination, while National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula did not get enough votes to make the NEC.  

Transport Minister Mbalula will have to step down from his Cabinet position to focus on his job at Luthuli House.

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Deputy president

In addition, deputy president David Mabuza missed out on a NEC spot. This has led to speculation that Ramaphosa will want Paul Mashatile to take over as the South Africa’s deputy president.

Mashatile on Monday won the race to become the ANC’s deputy president at the party’s elective conference in Nasrec.

The position for Minister of the Department of Public Service and Administration has also been vacant since April after Ayanda Dlodlo took up a post at the World Bank.

Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma might also face the chop from Cabinet after speaking out against Ramaphosa.

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