Trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel has been sworn in as a MP after almost four years of serving in the cabinet as a non-MP.
He was sworn in by National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Monday morning, hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to announce changes to his executive.
Patel’s swearing-in could be seen as an indication Ramaphosa is likely to appoint two new people who are not MPs when he makes the announcement on Monday night.
The constitution provides for the appointment of a maximum of two people who are not MPs to the cabinet.
Last week finance minister Enoch Godongwana, who was the other non-MP cabinet member, was sworn in as an MP.
Ramaphosa appointed Patel to his cabinet in May 2019, despite his failure to be re-elected as an MP. Before his appointment to trade and industry, Patel had been minister of economic development for 10 years since May 2009.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed Patel’s swearing-in. He is replacing Linda Moss, he said.
This is a developing story.
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