SHUFFLING THE PACK

Experts are disappointed by Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent cabinet reshuffle, saying he hasn’t gone far enough

- NASIFA SULAIMAN

FINALLY it seemed he would wield the axe and cut out the dead wood. After we’d watched cabinet ministers squabbling as parts of our country went up in smoke during the recent unrest, one thing seemed clear : heads needed to roll.

Political analysts had long questioned why President Cyril Ramaphosa was taking so long to reshuffle his cabinet. Perhaps now, many believed, he would rejuvenate the structure tasked with making the country work well.

And yet when the president unveiled his new cabinet the general reaction from political pundits was disappointment. Instead of the ruthless clear-out that was expected, Ramaphosa seemed to be playing a game of musical chairs.

There were several high-profile changes, of course.

Finance minister Tito Mboweni stepped down and was replaced by Enoch Godongwana, head of the ANC’s economic transformation committee.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize had no choice but to resign as a result of the R150-million Digital Vibes tender scandal, so his deputy, Dr Joe Phaahla, is taking over the job.

Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula seemingly was removed as minister of defence and military veterans because of the ham-handed way she dealt with the unrest and openly contradicted the president, insisting it wasn’t an insurrection.

But she’s now the ANC’s pick to serve as speaker of the national assembly, a post left vacant by Thandi Modise’s appointment to cabinet to replace Mapisa-Nqakula.

Meanwhile Lindiwe Sisulu, who’s reportedly planning to challenge Ramaphosa for the ANC presidency at the party’s elective conference next year, was moved sideways from human settlements to tourism.