UL Councillor appointed Minister of State Security during latest cabinet reshuffle
Adv Bongani Thomas Bongo, University of Limpopo Alumni and Convocation President, is South Africa's new Minister of State Security.
POLOKWANE – Bongo, who was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mpumalanga, studied law at the University of Limpopo and has been appointed as the new political head of the State Security Agency on Tuesday, filling the gap left by Minister David Mahlobo, who was appointed as Minister of Energy.
Read more: Blade Ndzimande gets the chop after another cabinet reshuffle
Bongo was a member of the Mpumalanga ANCYL, but was not in the Provincial Executive Council.
He worked for the Department of Human Settlements in that province before joining parliament. He is said to be part of the campaign team of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Mpumalanga.
He was elected as MP in May 2014 and served on the portfolio committee of defence and Military Veterans, Justice and Correctional Service as well as the Joint Committee on Constitutional Review and joint Committee on Defence. He is the only appointment that has not been a cabinet minister previously.
President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday announced the following changes to the national executive:
• Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize is the Minister of Higher Education and Training.
• Ayanda Dlodlo is the Minister of Home Affairs.
• Mmamaloko Kubayi is the Minister of Communications.
• David Mahlobo is the Minister of Energy.
• Advocate Bongani Thomas Bongo is the Minister of State Security.
• Buti Manamela is the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.
