Zuma's cabinet reshuffle

President Jacob Zuma has fired public works minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and cooperative governance minister Sicelo Shiceka and suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele, as part of his latest cabinet reshuffle.

Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde earlier said that heads will roll in connection with the inflated R1.6-billion police headquarters leasing deal - but not hers.

She said she would not resign, even though Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found her guilty of maladministration and violating the constitution.

Earlier a defiant Shiceka ignored calls to resign, and vowed to go to court to contest the public protector's report on his repeated abuse of state funds.

But Zuma today told reporters that Shiceka and Mahlangu-Nkabinde will leave cabinet. Shiceka was suspected of spending R600,000 rand on unauthorised travel including overseas visits to a girlfriend imprisoned in Switzerland for drug smuggling.

Mahlangu-Nkabinde has been replaced by deputy minister of rural development and land reform Thulas Nxesi.

Other moves include Communications minister Roy Padayachie taking over public service and administration.

Zuma's changes to the National Executive include:

• Deputy Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Dina Pule,  has been appointed Minister of Communications.
• Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform, Thembelani "Thulas” Nxesi, becomes the new Minister of Public Works.The Department will no longer have a Deputy Minister.
• Minister of Public Service and Administration, Richard Baloyi, becomes Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
• Minister of Communications, Roy Padayachie, takes over the Public Service and Administration portfolio.
• Deputy Minister of Communications, Obed Bapela, becomes Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Deputy Minister of Public Works, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, becomes Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disability.
• Chairperson of the portfolio committee on cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Lechesa Tsenoli, has been appointed Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform.
• ANC Member of Parliament, Thembisa Stella Ndabeni, becomes Deputy Minister of Communications.

"On the 15th of September I announced that I would, in terms of section 84 (2) (f) of the Constitution, appoint a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in the Strategic Defence Procurement Packages, generally known as the "arms deal”. I have appointed the Commission," said Zuma.

The members are:

• Justice Willie Seriti, Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
• Justice Willem van der Merwe, Deputy Judge President of the North Gauteng High Court.
• Justice Francis Legodi, Judge of the North Gauteng High Court.

Zuma said Justice Seriti will chair the Commission, which is expected to complete its work within two years.

He said Section 9 (1) read with section 8 (1) to (8) empowers the President to establish a Board of Inquiry into allegations of misconduct against the National Police Commissioner, and make findings and recommendations.

"In August, I informed the National Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, of my intention to institute a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations of misconduct, in relation to the procurement of office accommodation for the South African Police Service, as per the findings and recommendations of the Public Protector," said Zuma.

The Board of Inquiry comprises Justice Yvonne Mokgoro (retired), Advocate Terry Motau, Advocate Anthea Platt and Justice Mokgoro who will lead the inquiry.

"I have also decided to suspend the National Commissioner from duty with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry, in terms of section 8 (3) (a) read with Section 9 (1) of the South African Police Service Act. He will, during the period of suspension, be entitled to his full salary, allowances, privileges and benefits, in terms of Section 8(3)(b) of the Act," said Zuma.

Major General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been appointed acting National Commissioner.

>>The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution welcomes the move (Word document)