South African Government Reshuffles Cabinet

South African Government Reshuffles Cabinet
Funke Atohengbe, Pretoria

South African President Jacob Zuma has sacked ten of his ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle. 

The changes bring to an end months of speculation that he was planning to drop some of his cabinet members to inject new blood into governance for efficiency.

Some of the ministers on the way out are Geo of Dioge in charge of Public Works; Communications, Siphiwe Nyanda; Sports, Makhenkosi Stofile and the man in charge of the Labour Portfolio, Membatizi Mdladla.

Speaking at an emergency press briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, President Zuma said the decision to remove the affected ministers was to enable government deliver its election promises to ordinary South Africans and to give them a better life.

President Zuma said his government was facing some challenges in the provision of basic infrastructure which include health, education and growing unemployment as well as inequality and the disparity between whites and blacks.

President Zuma had given indication at the ruling ANC's National General Council in Durban some weeks back, that he would carry out a major reshuffle of his cabinet to inject fresh blood for efficiency.

The new ministers are slated for swearing-in on Monday.  

Williams/Yinka