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He also announced the dismissal of police commissioner Bheki Cele, replacing him with Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega, who is the chairwoman of the presidential review committee on state-owned entities and deputy chairwoman of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.
Phiyega becomes the first woman to be South Africa’s police commissioner.
That makes Cele the second police chief to be fired by Zuma, following damning findings from a board of inquiry that examined his role in the police office lease saga.
Cele was suspended in October as a panel investigated his role in the awarding of two police office leases worth R1,7 billion. His predecessor, Jackie Selebi, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption in 2010.
“The reports of the public protector and that of the board of inquiry indicate deficiencies administratively, and in particular in relation to Cele’s duties as an accounting officer,” President Zuma said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele and his deputy, Jeremy Cronin, have been shifted to other portfolios.
Ben Martins, who was Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, becomes Transport Minister. Cronin moves to the Department of Public Works as Deputy Minister.
Lindiwe Sisulu moves from defence to the Department of Public Service and Administration to replace Roy Padayachee, who died in April.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who has been in charge of correctional services, goes to the defence portfolio, and Ndebele becomes Correctional Services Minister.
Mduduzi Manana, a national executive committee member of the African National Congress Youth League, has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
Hlengiwe Mkhize, formerly Higher Education Deputy Minister, becomes Economic Development Deputy Minister, filling a vacancy created by Enoch Godongwana’s resignation in December.
Sindisiwe Chikunga, chairwoman of Parliament’s portfolio committee on police, is the new Deputy Minister of Transport, and Gratitude Magwanishe, deputy chief whip of the ANC, has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises. — Business Day.
Online Reporter