President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Thembi Simelane as the Ministrr of Justice and Constitutional Development and moved her to Human Settlement, following allegations of corruption.
This cabinet reshuffle was made on Tuesday the 3rd of December 2024. The Presidency said Ramaphosa made the changes in accordance with the constitution. The President said “In order to ensure the effectiveness of cabinet in delivering to its mandate and in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution, i have made the following changes to the national executive. Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, currently the Minister of Human Settlement is appointed as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development”.
Adding he said, Ms Thembi Nkadimeng Simelane is appointed as the Minister of Human Settlement, Phumzile Mgcina has been moved as deputy of Labour and Employment and appointed as the Deputy minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Current deputy minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala was appointed as deputy minister of Employment Labour.
Ramaphosa is now facing criticism from political parties regarding these changes saying “Simelane does not beling in the cabinet”.
“The indecisiveness of the President, who has explicitly committed to fighting corruption is especially shocking and quite blatantly insincere” said the Democratic Alliance MP advocate Glynnis Breytenbach.
Athol Trollip said “This cowardly move by the President also highlights the fact that his own Phala Phala demons continue to hamstring his actions when it comes to dealing with corruption in his cabinet”