Cyril Ramaphosa drew ire from South Africans when he announced his first Cabinet reshuffle in this administration, with Zizi Kodwa placed into a high-ranking position in the Presidency.
Zizi Kodwa makes into Presidency amid State Capture saga
In June, Kodwa appeared before the State Capture Inquiry to provide perspective into an intelligence report that was turned in to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo by forensic specialist Steven Powell.
In the report, Powell from ENS Forensics traced at least R15 million in underhanded funds that were listed as ‘donations’ made to the ANC between May 2015 and February 2016, by tech company EOH.
Moreover, the deputy state security minister who, at the time served as the ruling party’s national spokesperson, was found to have benefitted financially — to the tune of R2 million — from his personal relationship with EOH’s former director Jehan Mackay.
A breakdown summary of the ‘financial assistance’ Kodwa from Mackay included:
- R230 000 for a two-week stay at the swanky Villa Barbados in Camps Bay, Western Cape, during the 2015 Christmas holidays;
- complementary stays at an unnamed luxury hotel that cost Mackay R50 000 a night;
- R30 000 to take Kodwa’s account out of arrears; and among others,
- R1 million, of which R890 000, Kodwa used to purchase a Jeep.
In Kodwa’s explanation of this unconventional relationship, he claimed that Mackay was a friend who offered a hand during a dark period of his life. Coincidentally, however, EOH would go on to score an estimated R217 million in tenders between 2015 and 2016.
While the matter is still the subject of an ongoing probe, Kodwa has — for now, at least — skirted the ‘step-aside‘ rule and was reassigned as the new deputy minister of the Presidency.
Substantiating his decision, Ramaphosa revealed that the State Security department, after facing years of maladministration, has been absorbed into the Presidency and Kodwa, the second-in-command in the security portfolio, will oversee things from within his office.
“This is to ensure that the country’s domestic and foreign intelligence services more effectively enable the President to exercise his responsibility to safeguard the security and integrity of the nation,” Ramaphosa explained.
Cabinet reshuffle: Here are the changes
Another key shift the president announced was the separation of the Department of Water and Sanitation. These have been transformed into two independent portfolios “to enable a dedicated focus on ensuring that all South Africans have access to a secure and sustainable supply of this precious resource.”
Moreover, Dr Zweli Mkhize, who is meddled in a ‘Digital Vibes‘ corruption scandal has tendered his resignation and Joe Phaahla has stepped in to run the portfolio. Also, at the request of Tito Mboweni, the ministry of finance has a new leader.
Here is the new Cabinet, carefully handpicked by the president:
- The Presidency: Mr Mondli Gungubele
- Communications and Digital Technologies: Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- Defence and Military Veterans: Ms Thandi Modise
- Finance: Mr Enoch Godongwana
- Health: Mr Joe Phaahla
- Human Settlements: Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi
- Public Service and Administration: Ms Ayanda Dlodlo
- Small Business Development: Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
- Tourism: Ms Lindiwe Sisulu
- Water and Sanitation: Mr Senzo Mchunu
With respect to deputy ministers, Ramaphosa made these appointments:
- The Presidency: Ms Pinky Kekana will come in as a second Deputy Minister
- Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform: Ms Zoleka Capa
- Communications and Digital Technologies: Mr Philly Mapulane
- Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Ms Thembi Nkadimeng
- Health: Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo
- Mineral Resources and Energy: Dr Nobuhle Nkabane
- Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majake
- Small Business Development: Mr Sdumo Dlamini
- Transport: Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga
- Water and Sanitation: Ms Dikeledi Magadzi