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The President’s announcement of a significant reshuffle of his Cabinet, and the appointment of a new police commissioner, reveals a President desperate to shore up support ahead of the ANC’s Mangaung elective conference.

President Zuma has once again appointed a National Police Commissioner, Ms Mangwashi Phiyega, with no policing experience. While the Democratic Alliance welcomes the firing of disgraced former Commissioner, Bheki Cele, we would have hoped that the President would have acted to restore public confidence in the South African Police Service by appointing someone with a demonstrated ability in crime fighting and police management.

President Zuma has reshuffled his Cabinet for the third time in as many years. This is disruptive for government departments and civil servants, and only serves to slow down delivery. Reshuffles must be undertaken to replace underperforming Ministers and promote those Ministers who perform well. In this case, it seems President Zuma has punished those Ministers who have not been willing to serve as his vocal cheerleaders, and has promoted those who are willing to do so. Cabinet positions should not be dished out to shore up support ahead of the Mangaung conference; they are important positions with serious delivery responsibilities.

We welcome those new members of Cabinet, and as always, we will hold them vigorously accountable for their performance in government.