Rumours of possible Cabinet reshuffle swirl

President Jacob Zuma’s imminent departure as the country’s head of state has reportedly sparked fresh talks of a Cabinet reshuffle in the national executive should ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa decide to immediately take over the reins at the Union Buildings.

According to City Press, many ministers linked to Zuma could be on the firing line. Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi are said to be fired from their positions.

Including staunch Zuma loyalists Energy Minister David Mahlobo and State Security Minister Bongani Bongo.

The paper reports that the changes to the executive would open the way for an injection of fresh blood into the Cabinet, as well as see the return of veteran ministers Zuma axed.

“Whether he [Zuma] resigns or not, there has to be some agreement for an immediate intervention to show that the ANC is serious about turning the tide for the better, especially removing some of the dead wood, and people who are openly seen as corrupt and those who have failed,” an insider in the Ramaphosa camp was quoted as saying.

The ANC president has reportedly hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle. Speaking on Friday at a gala dinner hosted by the ANC in East London, Ramaphosa welcomed guests, including “ministers of president Zuma’s Cabinet”.

Cosatu – which supported Ramaphosa’s bid for the ANC presidency last year – is reportedly expected to present him with a list of demands. These could include the removal of Cabinet ministers who are seen as incompetent or implicated in state capture allegations.

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