13 June 2012
President Jacob Zuma announced several changes to his Cabinet on Tuesday, with a new minister and deputy for the transport portfolio underlining its importance in South Africa’s state-led infrastructure drive.
Addressing journalists in Pretoria on Tuesday, Zuma said that Sbu Ndebele had been moved from transport to correctional services, while his deputy, Jeremy Cronin, had been moved to public works, also as deputy minister.
Ben Martins, who was deputy minister of public enterprises, taking over as transport minister, with Sindisiwe Chikunga coming in as deputy transport minister.
Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula moves over to defence, while Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu takes over the portfolio of public service and administration, following the recent death of Roy Padayachie.
Zuma appointed three other new deputy ministers in Gratitude Magwanishe (public enterprises), Hlengiwe Mkhize (economic development), and Mduduzi Manana (higher education and training).
The changes, Zuma said, come in the wake of three vacancies in the national executive, due to Padayachie’s death, the resignation of Economic Development Deputy Minister Enoch Godongwana, and the shifting of former Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu to the ministry of women, children and people with disabilities.
The President welcomed the new Cabinet members and wished them well in their new positions.
Source: BuaNews
