9 July 2013

South African President Jacob Zuma axed three ministers on Tuesday while making seven changes in the fourth Cabinet shuffle of his first five-year term as president, which began in 2009.

Addressing a press conference in Pretoria, Zuma announced that Communications Minister Dina Pule had lost her job, to be replaced by Yunus Carrim, the former deputy minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs.

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale was also fired, with new Cabinet member Connie September, an African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament, taking over the portfolio.

In other changes announced by Zuma:

• Transport Minister Ben Martins and Energy Minister Dipuo Peters swap places, Martins taking over the energy and Peters the transport portfolios.

• Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi vacates the Cabinet, to be replaced by Lechesa Tsenoli, the former deputy minister for rural development and land reform, whose portfolio is filled by new Cabinet member Pamela Tshwete, an ANC Member of Parliament.

• Another ANC MP, John Jeffery, takes over as deputy minister of justice and constitutional development from Andries Nel, who replaces Carrim as deputy minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs.

• ANC MP Michael Masutha fills the vacant post of deputy minister of science and technology.

“Twenty years of democracy have changed the face of our country, and the last five years have pushed that change forward,” Zuma told Tuesday’s briefing, thanking the outgoing ministers for their contribution to improving the lives of all South Africans.

“We wish all incoming members of the national executive all the best in their new portfolios,” Zuma said, adding that the new members would be sworn in to office on Wednesday.

SAinfo reporter

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