Bongo wants to get moving

ANC MP Bongani Bongo, pictured, was officially sworn in as South Africa’s new minister of state security yesterday.

Bongo was appointed following President Jacob Zuma’s surprise Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

David Mahlobo, who previously held the state security portfolio, was moved to energy.

Zuma broke away from a Cabinet meeting at Tuynhuys, his office at parliament, to watch Bongo being sworn in by Western Cape Judge President John Hlope.

“In terms of the powers vested in me in terms of section 91 of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, I have decided to appoint Bongani Thomas Bongo as a minister for the portfolio of state security … I now request the judge president to either swear or affirm him into office,” Zuma said before Bongo was asked to take his oath of office.

Zuma took no questions from the media on the reshuffle.

After Bongo was sworn in and posed for a photo opportunity with Zuma, he thanked the president and the ANC for affording him the opportunity to serve in Cabinet.

“I will provide the required leadership in terms of legislation and policy directive of the country as espoused both in ANC resolutions and the country legislation into attending to national security-related matters,” he said.

Bongo would not take questions, saying he needs time to meet his team at state security and familiarise himself with his new job.

“I’ve just been sworn in. I’m looking forward to meeting with the team so that we move with serious speed to meet the targets that the government has set us in the medium term,” he said. – ANA