Cabinet has extended the contract of director general of finance Lungisa Fuzile for another five years, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

The renewal of Fuzile’s contract was reported to hang in the balance after President Jacob Zuma reshuffled the finance portfolio and appointed Des van Rooyen as minister.

However, after the president bowed to pressure and brought Pravin Gordhan back to the post, the minister expressed his fullest confidence in his long-time colleague at National Treasury, telling a media briefing the public service was fortunate to employ him.

Fuzile has worked in the department for the past 18 years.