Ramaphosa removes DA’s Whitfield from GNU cabinet

The Presidency confirmed the move in a short statement, adding that Ramaphosa thanked Whitfield for his service.

Whitfield was appointed as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition on 3 July 2024, alongside Zuko Godlimpi, as part of President Ramaphosa’s GNU cabinet following the 2024 election

He is the provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape.

The DA currently holds six ministerial  and five deputy ministerial positions within President Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) cabinet.

"The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP from the position of Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition."

"The President has thanked the former deputy minister for the time he served in the role," said Presidency.

While there was speculation that Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane might also be axed over the Seta board controversy, the Presidency says there are no plans for a full cabinet reshuffle.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni responded to questions about any further changes during the post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

" I am a minister, if there is a reshuffle I am equally affected, so I will not know whether there is a reshuffle or not until I am called to be told about that reshuffle.

In terms of the constitution of the republic, the president exercises power in two forms, there is a power that he exercises collectively with the cabinet, and there is power that he exercises alone.

The decision to appoint or remove or reshuffle ministers and deputy ministers, that is the sole prerogative of the president.

I cannot answer the question on reshuffle, as I cannot answer the question of who is being reshuffled or given the appointment, I have no such power," says  Ntshavheni.

On whether Minister  Nkabane has explained herself,  Ntshavheni said Nkabane has submitted a report to the president.

DA Federal Council Chair Helen Zille has since called an urgent FedEx meeting to discuss Ramaphosa's decision to remove Whitfield from the GNU’s National Executive.

The DA will comment further after the meeting on Thursday afternoon. 

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