Ramatlhodi gets new job in reshuffle of cabinet
IN A shocking move, President Jacob Zuma yesterday announced the appointment of Ngoako Ramatlhodi as the minister of public service and administration.
Ramatlhodi, who was the minister of mineral resources, was replaced by the controversial former Free State MEC of agriculture, Mosebenzi Zwane.
Under Zwane’s watch, his department reportedly sent a letter, on behalf of the provincial government, to Shivpal Yadav, a minister in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, inviting him to visit the province.
The letter was allegedly used to secure permission for the controversial landing of the Gupta family ’ s private jet with wedding guests at the Waterkloof military airbase in 2013.
However, there was reportedly no evidence that any official business was done with the Free State government.
The cabinet reshuffle was necessitated by the death of public service and administration minister Collins Chabane in a car crash in March this year.
Zuma’s office made the announcement in a statement late last night.
“The minister of mineral resources shall be Mr Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, Member of Parliament, who has previously served as MEC in the portfolios of agriculture and rural development as well as economic development, tourism and environmental affairs in the Free State provincial government,” Zuma said.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has been acting in the portfolio since Chabane’s death.
“I wish to thank the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, who has been acting as Minister of Public Service and Administration since March this year, ” Zuma said.
During the time Zwane was MEC for agriculture, the Free State government was also embroiled in a controversial R570-million dairy farm tender in which the Guptas were alleged to have been big role players.
The treasury investigated the contract at the Estina farm.
Zwane left his post in the Free State earlier this month.
He is expected to be sworn in to his new cabinet post at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today.