South Africa’s health and finance ministers out in reshuffle

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffled his cabinet on Thursday evening, with notable changes including the finance and health ministries.

Former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize resigned hours before Ramaphosa was set to fire him after he was embroiled in a corruption scandal.

He is being replaced by his former deputy minister Joe Phaahla. While a cabinet reshuffle has been on the cards for a while the biggest surprise has been in the finance ministry.

Enoch Gondongwana replaces Tito Mboweni who asked to be released from his post.

Mboweni, who has been at the helm since 2018, has been instrumental in trying to guide South Africa’s economy through the disruption caused by Covid-19.

The president has decided to do away with the state security ministry altogether – three weeks after deadly riots rocked the country, which brought into question South Africa’s police and intelligence capability.

The functions of that ministry will now fall under the presidency – a move criticised by the main opposition party who say it gives the president too much power over state security and intelligence.

Mr Ramaphosa also announced he will appoint an expert panel to review the country’s preparedness for future security responses.