Mboweni, Mkhize resign as Ramaphosa shuffles his cards

Ramaphosa revealed his new Cabinet in a late night briefing at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. 

It’s the first time the executive has been reshuffled since 2019. 

The move comes amid criticism of a lacklustre response to the Covid pandemic and the recent civil unrest that left more than 300 people dead. 

There’s a new finance minister after Tito Mboweni tendered his resignation in a move most South Africans are unlikely to have seen coming. 

“I have also accepted a long-standing request by Minister Tito Mboweni to be excused from his position as Minister of Finance,” Ramaphosa said. 

“Minister Mboweni took up this position following the sudden departure of former Minister Nhlanhla Nene in October 2018. Since then, he has effectively and ably steered National Treasury through extremely difficult economic times, providing stability and instilling confidence.”

Enoch Godongwana will take his place.

Former deputy minister of health Joe Phaahla now takes the reins from Mkhize who is embroiled in a tender scandal worth millions.

“A further vacancy has arisen following the request I have received from Minister Zwelini Mkhize to allow him to step down as the Minister of Health in order to bring certainty and stability to this important portfolio,” said Ramaphosa. 

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is also out of a job at the ministry, a change many predicted after she butted heads with Ramaphosa on the root cause of the unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise takes her place. 

Ramaphosa also made changes to the deputy ministers.

“The task of rebuilding our economy and our society requires urgency and focus,” Ramaphosa said.

The changes take effect immediately.

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