All government Ministers affected by the Cabinet reshuffle were alerted before the public announcement, the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) said on Tuesday.

"Government has noted media reports alleging that certain ministers learnt of their replacement from the media," said government spokesperson Themba Maseko in a statement.

"These reports are misleading and untrue in the extreme.

"The President handled the matter sensitively and in a dignified manner."

The media briefing during which President Jacob Zuma announced the changes was delayed to make sure he spoke to all affected ministers personally, Maseko said.

He also moved to assure the public that the work of government would continue "uninterrupted" after the major overhaul of Zuma's executive.

"Government assures South Africans that all government departments are being strengthened to enable effective and efficient service delivery to citizens," he said.

"The work of government will continue relentlessly to ensure that service delivery commitments are met."

African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said that the positions on portfolio committees left vacant by the reshuffle would be filled.

"When a number of chairpersons of portfolios move on, it's logical that we have to revisit those areas," he told a media briefing in Johannesburg.

The office of the ANC's chief whip in Parliament announced that the process to fill the vacant posts may be concluded by November 18.

While this process unfolded, many members of Parliament were selected to fill the opened slots in an acting capacity. Scheduled meetings of committees and other programmes therefore continued "as normal".

Zuma on Sunday announced a shake-up of the 17-month Cabinet in place. The changes saw seven ministers axed, two moved around and 14 added as deputies.