Pretoria – The controversial appointment of Thembi Nkadimeng (formerly Simelani) as Justice Minister has reached an unforeseen outcome following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Tuesday evening regarding changes in his GNU Cabinet.
Nkadimeng has been implicated in allegations of potentially benefiting from kickbacks linked to the now-closed VBS mutual bank, which is currently under investigation.
In the announcement of the Cabinet reshuffle, President Ramaphosa mentioned that to guarantee the Cabinet’s effectiveness in meeting its duties and in line with section 91(2) of the Constitution, he has made the following adjustments to the national executive:
- Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, who is currently the Minister of Human Settlements, has been appointed as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
- Thembi Nkadimeng, who was the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, has now been designated as the Minister of Human Settlements.
- Moreover, in accordance with section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution,
- Phumzile Mgcina has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, having previously held the position of Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.
- Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, moving from her last role as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
President Ramaphosa remarked, “The changes to the national executive take effect immediately.”
“I wish these members of the national executive the best as they assume their new roles.”
Minister Nkadimeng has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the VBS matter.
However, she admits to having secured a loan exceeding half a million rand from a company implicated in the unlawful investment of R349 million into VBS Mutual Bank by the Polokwane Municipality while she served as mayor of the city in 2016.
Nkadimeng claims that she has fully repaid the loan.
