South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed his deputy, Paul Mashatile, to oversee the country’s justice, crime-prevention, and security cluster. This includes supervising the performance of the police, defence, justice, and state security ministers. Mashatile will also be responsible for the country’s security apparatus and all intelligence services.
Ramaphosa’s move has given Mashatile more power than his predecessor, David Mabuza, whose main responsibility was leading the task team on Eskom. Mashatile’s new role is in addition to his current duties as the leader of government business in parliament, the South African National Aids Council, land reform, and special envoy to South Sudan.
Mashatile will be in charge of the cluster, which consists of ministers Bheki Cele (police), Thandi Modise (defence), Aaron Motsoaledi (home affairs), Ronald Lamola (justice and correctional services), and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (state security in the presidency). Mashatile will also chair the cabinet committee on security, overseeing crime intelligence under the police and state security’s spooks locally and internationally.
The African National Congress (ANC) expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of its security cluster ministers last week, citing the increasing rate of crime. However, the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said that there was no need to remove any of them. Instead, they will meet with the ministers to show them where they are lacking and encourage them to move faster.
Ramaphosa’s reshuffle last week saw some cabinet members being axed from his executive and deployed to various committees in parliament. Former sports, arts, and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa will serve on the portfolio committees on social development and trade, industry and competition, while former minister in the presidency responsible for women, youth, and people with disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will serve in the standing committee on appropriations.
Thembi Siweya, who was removed as deputy minister in the presidency, has been redeployed to the portfolio committee on public enterprises and the standing committee on public accounts. Former deputy minister of public enterprises, Phumulo Masualle, who criticized Ramaphosa’s leadership before the ANC conference last year, will serve on the standing committee on finance.
According to Ramaphosa his decision to appoint Mashatile to oversee the justice, crime-prevention, and security cluster is as a result of his commitment to tackling crime and ensuring the safety and security of South Africans. The reshuffle of cabinet members is also an attempt to improve the performance of government officials and drive the country towards a brighter future.