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Johannesburg – Government announced on Sunday night that Minister in the Presidency responsible for the National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel, will take on a new role assisting President Jacob Zuma with a Pan-African infrastructure development programme.
While a spokesperson denied media reports that the pro-business Manuel might leave his job, no indication was given whether Zuma is preparing a cabinet reshuffle.
The Weekend Argus newspaper reported on Sunday that Zuma was set to make several "possible key changes" to his cabinet, which was holding a special meeting on Monday on a new economic growth strategy.
The Sunday Independent newspaper also reported that Zuma was poised to rearrange his cabinet, and that Manuel might be among those to depart.
"Only the president knows whether or not there will be a reshuffle," cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko said in an emailed statement.
Government spokesperson Dumisa Jele said Manuel would stay in his current position while also taking on the new role.
"It's not to replace his job," Jele said of Manuel's new role. "He still is head of the National Planning Commission."
Speculation
Manuel, a former finance minister, has publicly disagreed with the left-leaning allies of the ruling ANC. His departure could have dented investor confidence in the ANC.
Government said in a statement that Manuel will assist Zuma “to fulfil his new responsibility as the African Union champion of the North-South infrastructure development corridor in the continent”.
The African Union has designated Zuma as a “political champion” of road and rail links between the continent.
"We have the enormous task of promoting tangible action, and have to mobilise resources for the development of infrastructure in the continent. The time has come to move beyond conceptualisation to concrete projects. We trust that we will be able to mobilise the private sector to work with us on this massive but very important project,” Zuma said in a statement.
Newspapers speculated on Sunday that Manuel could take up up a senior position either at the World Bank or in the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
Another rumour was the replacement of State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, whose wife Cheryl is on trial on drug trafficking charges, with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
Deputy Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile was set for a full cabinet post, possibly replacing Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana.
The Weekend Argus reported that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula was set to take up a full cabinet post as a reward for leading the campaign that saw Zuma elected ANC president in 2007.
Other ministers in precarious positions included Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Mining Minister Susan Shabangu.
Unfair
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane has stayed mum on reports that President Jacob Zuma is set to reshuffle his cabinet.
Chabane told journalists at a press conference in Pretoria that ministers were continuing to do their work as usual and that a question on the reshuffle was "unfair".
"The question is unfair," Chabane said. "We are used to it. Rumours about a Cabinet reshuffle have been around since the Cabinet was formed.
"Ministers are doing their work as usual."
While a spokesperson denied media reports that the pro-business Manuel might leave his job, no indication was given whether Zuma is preparing a cabinet reshuffle.
The Weekend Argus newspaper reported on Sunday that Zuma was set to make several "possible key changes" to his cabinet, which was holding a special meeting on Monday on a new economic growth strategy.
The Sunday Independent newspaper also reported that Zuma was poised to rearrange his cabinet, and that Manuel might be among those to depart.
"Only the president knows whether or not there will be a reshuffle," cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko said in an emailed statement.
Government spokesperson Dumisa Jele said Manuel would stay in his current position while also taking on the new role.
"It's not to replace his job," Jele said of Manuel's new role. "He still is head of the National Planning Commission."
Speculation
Manuel, a former finance minister, has publicly disagreed with the left-leaning allies of the ruling ANC. His departure could have dented investor confidence in the ANC.
Government said in a statement that Manuel will assist Zuma “to fulfil his new responsibility as the African Union champion of the North-South infrastructure development corridor in the continent”.
The African Union has designated Zuma as a “political champion” of road and rail links between the continent.
"We have the enormous task of promoting tangible action, and have to mobilise resources for the development of infrastructure in the continent. The time has come to move beyond conceptualisation to concrete projects. We trust that we will be able to mobilise the private sector to work with us on this massive but very important project,” Zuma said in a statement.
Newspapers speculated on Sunday that Manuel could take up up a senior position either at the World Bank or in the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
Another rumour was the replacement of State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, whose wife Cheryl is on trial on drug trafficking charges, with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
Deputy Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile was set for a full cabinet post, possibly replacing Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana.
The Weekend Argus reported that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula was set to take up a full cabinet post as a reward for leading the campaign that saw Zuma elected ANC president in 2007.
Other ministers in precarious positions included Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Mining Minister Susan Shabangu.
Unfair
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane has stayed mum on reports that President Jacob Zuma is set to reshuffle his cabinet.
Chabane told journalists at a press conference in Pretoria that ministers were continuing to do their work as usual and that a question on the reshuffle was "unfair".
"The question is unfair," Chabane said. "We are used to it. Rumours about a Cabinet reshuffle have been around since the Cabinet was formed.
"Ministers are doing their work as usual."
