ANC STATEMENT ON THE CABINET RESHUFFLE
The African National Congess welcomes the Cabinet reshuffle as announced by the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma today. It is our view that this reshuffle will contribute significantly to strengthening government performance and capacity. In this regard the ANC would to praise and equally endorse the President's action and decisiveness.
Firstly, the ANC welcomes and congratulate Minister Richard Baloyi the former Minister of Public Service and Administration for his re-appointment as the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. We equally welcome the re-appointment of the former Minister for Communications, Mr Roy Padayachie as the new Minister for Public Service and Administration. We also welcome the elevation of the former Deputy Minister to Ministerial positions who are: Dina Pule to head Communication and Thembelani Thulas Nxesi to head Public Works.
We also welcome to the Cabinet the following Deputy Ministers: Stella Ndabeni as Deputy Minister of Communication and as well S Lechesa Tsenoli as the Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform. We also wish Deputy Minister Obed Bapela and Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu well in their deployment within government.
The ANC would like to also welcome the appointment of the Commissioners of a Commission of Enquiry led by Justice Seriti to investigate and finalise the arms deal allegation of corruption and wrong doing. We have no doubt in our minds that these esteemed Justices would have completed and finalized their investigation within the two years determined by the President.
As the ANC we believe that the matter regarding allegations of wrong doing regarding the procurement of police buildings must be investigated fully and be resolved without any fear or favour. In this regard we welcome the appointment of the Board of Enquiry by the President of the Republic, to be led by a retired Judge, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, into the allegations of wrong doing by the of Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele.
We also concur with the President that the investigation necessitates the suspension of General Bheki Cele as the head of the South African Police Service. We hope that during the period of investigation, Major General Nhlanhla Mkwhanazi, as Acting Police Commissioner will continue with a decisive fight against crime and corruption.
Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, October 24 2011
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