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Some ANC bigwigs who opposed President Jacob Zuma’s re-election towards the 53rd conference of the organisation might face dismissal or demotion from their cabinet positions, it emerged yesterday. Zuma had reshuffled his cabinet four times since he took the helm in 2009.
The president is expected to appoint a cabinet for a second term shortly after his inauguration ceremony, scheduled for May 24.
Sources in the ANC and government told The Citizen that sports minister Fikile Mbalula and his arts and culture counterpart, Paul Mashatile, might not make the cut, or they might be demoted.
This is because, said the sources, they publicly agitated for a change of the ruling party’s leadership in the run-up to Mangaung.
“Every member of the cabinet who openly opposed Zuma’s re-election in Mangaung is very nervous,” said one source, who asked to remain anonymous.
Another source said Mbalula was aware of his imminent chop, adding that he tried to save face by repeatedly praising Zuma at ANC election campaign rallies before the elections.
Mbalula yesterday said: “I don’t comment on those matters.”
Zuma’s spokesperson Mac Maharaj described the claims as just rumours.
Asked to reveal the criteria used by the president to appoint the cabinet, Maharaj said: “There are not criteria set out in the constitution.”
It is understood that the cabinet appointments might see Zuma allies in the ANC climbing up the ladder in government.
These include former ANC Youth League treasurer-general Pule Mabe and the deputy minister of higher education and training, Mduduzi Manana.
Mabe and Manana had backed the president over Mangaung and defended him against public spats levelled at him by the disbanded leadership of the Youth League early in 2012.
Manana yesterday said he believed Zuma would not dispense patronage against those who did not support him at Mangaung when appointing the cabinet.
“Those suggestions are mischievous. The president will look at the capable people who can take the country forward,” said Manana. — The Citizen.
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