Zuma laughs off talk of reshuffle
PRESIDENTJacob Zuma has laughed off suggestions of a looming cabinet reshuffle after his State of the Nation Address (Sona) scheduled for tomorrow. Addressing the media yesterday after a pre-address business investor lunch with the captains of industry in Cape Town, Zuma jokingly told the media to forget about the cabinet reshuffle.
“What I will tell you is I don’t know. Since last year this speculation has been there but it has never happened,” he said.
“Forget about it. I will tell you when I need to tell you.”
Pressed about how he would inform journalists, Zuma said: “If I have your number I will.”
He burst into laughter before adding: “Or I will put it on Twitter.”
Zuma initially refused to answer the question when asked about speculation on the looming cabinet reshuffle.
“We said (Trade and Industry Minister Rob) Davies will answer all the questions.
“Maybe he knows about it. I don’t know. I know nothing about it,” he insisted.
Two weeks ago there were reports that former Eskom chief executive officer Brian Molefe was heading for Parliament after the ANC in the North West made a request to Luthuli House for his name to be included on the list of its MPs.
Former AU commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was apparently set to be accommodated in the new-look cabinet.
The organised business people who attended the preSona business investor lunch said the issue of a cabinet reshuffle was not discussed.
“It never emerged, it was not part of discussions,” said Black Business Council president Danisa Baloyi.
Business Unity South Africa president Jabu Mabuza said his organisation was in support of the constitution, which empowered Zuma to make a cabinet reshuffle.