Midnight reshuffle by Zuma stokes lawsuits, no confidence motion

South African opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has received the backing of firebrand Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party to table a motion of no confidence against Jacob Zuma in parliament after a Thursday midnight cabinet reshuffle.

The reshuffle came after days of speculation over the sack of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan who was recalled from an investor roadshow in London by Zuma without giving any reason.

The leader of the DA party, Mmusi Maimane said the party has instituted an urgent legal action at the Western Cape High Court to halt the swearing in of the new ministers set to take place Friday evening.

“We will also lead a march to the ANC’s headquarters at Luthuli House next Friday 7 April, calling on the ANC to support our Motion of No Confidence in President Zuma, which will be before Parliament in the coming weeks,” he added.

This action follows that of Malema’s EFF which filed an impeachment case against President Jacob Zuma at the Constitutional Court on Thursday.

Their case is against Zuma’s “conduct associated with the Nkandla scandal, including lying to Parliament on numerous occasions.”

Malema said the Constitutional Court is the last resort to order the Speaker of parliament to institute impeachment proceedings against Zuma.

We approach ConCourt as last resort. Zuma's conduct around Nkandla matter renders him unfit to hold the high office of President of SA.

— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 30, 2017

The African National Congress (ANC) party leadership has said it is not happy about the reshuffle but “capable ministers have been appointed”.

Below is the list of fired, reshuffled and newly appointed ministers who will be sworn-in if the motion of injunction filed by the DA fails to hold.

Fired Ministers

• Tina Joemat-Pettersson, former Minister of Energy

• Dipuo Peters, former Minister of Transport

• Pravin Gordhan, former Minister of Finance

• Derek Hanekom, former Minister of Tourism

• Ngoako Ramatlhodi, former Minister of Public Service and Administration

Reshuffled Ministers

• Malusi Gigaba, former Minister of Home Affairs

• Nathi Nhleko, former Minister of Police

• Thulas Nxesi, former Minister of Public Works

• Fikile Mbalula, former Minister of Sports and Recreation

• Faith Muthambi, former Minister of Communications

Ministers

• Minister of Energy, Ms Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi, replacing Tina Joemat-Pettersson

• Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, replacing Dipuo Peters

• Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba, replacing Pravin Gordhan

• Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula, replacing Nathi Nhleko

• Minister of Public Works, Mr Nathi Nhleko, replacing Thulas Nxesi

• Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Thembelani “Thulas” Nxesi, replacing Fikile Mbalula

• Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa, replacing Derek Hanekom

• Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Faith Muthambi, replacing Ngoako Ramatlhodi

• Minister of Home Affairs, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, replacing Malusi Gigaba

• Minister of Communications, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, replacing Faith Muthambi

Deputy Ministers

• Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba

• Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Sifiso Buthelezi

• Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Ben Martins

• Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Maggie Sotyu

• Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Gratitude Magwanishe

• Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Thandi Mahambehlala

• Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe

• Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Bongani Mkongi

• Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

• Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Nomathemba November