PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that the government is considering a reconfiguration of Cabinet amid calls for him to fire several ‘incompetent’ ministers, particular those in the security cluster for dropping the ball and mishandling the recent unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Ramaphosa was addressing journalists in Tembisa, Gauteng, where he was joined by Premier David Makhura and Acting Health Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi to assess the state of the vaccination sites as the country ramps up its inoculation campaign across the country.
There have been calls for cabinet reshuffle since the outbreak of violence and looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal earlier this month.
Ministers in the security cluster, including Police Minister Bheki Cele and State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo have come under fire in recent days for a perceived failure to get a handle of the unrest that cost the country billions of rands and led to the deaths of 212 people.
This after looters took to warehouses, malls and factories in mostly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in a brazen attack on the economy.
Ramaphosa told reports that a cabinet reshuffle might be on the cards.
“I have said that clearly, the deployment of people in various positions in government is a matter that occupies the mind and attention of a president at all times,” said Ramaphosa.
“That is what I am applying my mind to. I know there is a lot of anxiety, patience, excitement and it is a matter that is under consideration and all I could say is that watch this space.”
Various political parties, including the EFF and the DA say Dlodlo and Cele must pay the price for the recent unrest in South Africa by failing to gather intelligence about a possible ‘insurrection’ in South Africa .
DA leader John Steenhuisen said this week that Ramaphosa should have announced the immediate axing Dlodlo, Cele, of suspended Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, as well as that of Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe.
“He should have announced that he has fired Health Minister Zweli Mkhize for his part in the Digital Vibes scandal and that he has replaced him with a competent individual with the skills and experience to make the right decisions,” said Steenhuisen.
“The president should also have announced competent replacements for police minister Bheki Cele and state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo, both of whom have completely failed South Africa.”
“Hapless energy minister Gwede Mantashe must be replaced with someone who understands the urgency to bring down the cost and increase the supply of electricity by opening South Africa’s energy market.”
- Inside Politics
