1st LD Writethru: S. African president reshuffles cabinet

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night reshuffled the Cabinet, relieving some of their duties while assigning some to new portfolios.

Ramaphosa announced the reshuffle at a press briefing in Pretoria on Monday night. Ramaphosa appointed the African National Congress (ANC) deputy president David Mabuza as the country's deputy president.

The Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba was moved to Home Affairs. Jeff Radebe, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation was assigned to the Energy portfolio. The former AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma replaced Radebe. The former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene resumed his previous post. Zweli Mkhize, former treasurer general in the ANC is now the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister.

"In making these changes I have been conscious of the need to balance continuity and stability with the need for renewal, economic recovery and accelerated transformation, " said Ramaphosa.

The South African Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande was also appointed Transport Minister. He was axed last year by the then President Jacob Zuma.

Ramaphosa said, "these changes are meant to ensure that national government is better equipped to implement the mandate of this administration. "

Pravin Gordhan, former Finance Minister was assigned to the Public Enterprises Minister which is facing governance challenges. The ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe was also appointed the Mineral Resources Minister.

The new ministers and their deputies will be sworn in Tuesday. Enditem