Vavi calls for march to Treasury after Cabinet reshuffle

JOHANNESBURG – Former Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has called on all South Africans to join the South African Federation of Trade Unions and its members in a peaceful march on the Treasury on Friday morning.

Vavi says every citizen concerned about the future of the country should join them in occupying the Finance Department to prevent what he calls, the Zuma and Gupta appointees, from entering the building.

He’s encouraged anyone interested to assemble at Pretoria’s Church Square from 10am.

“Any worker, any South African, bring your flag to demonstrate peacefully. Let it be registered that you stood up and raised fingers as a sign when a president was staging a coup against the people of this country.”

President Jacob Zuma has announced a major Cabinet reshuffle, firing Pravin Gordhan as Finance Minister, his deputy Mcebisi Jonas, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters and Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi, in one of his most dramatic moves during his time in the Union Buildings.

"I have decided to make changes to the National Executive in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

"The changes bring some younger MPs and women into the National Executive in order to benefit from their energy, experience and expertise.

"I have directed the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers to work tirelessly with their colleagues to bring about radical socio-economic transformation and to ensure that the promise of a better life for the poor and the working class becomes a reality."

The new members are the following;

MINISTERS

Minister of Energy, Ms Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi

Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi

Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba

Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula

Minister of Public Works, Mr Nathi Nhleko

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Thembelani Nxesi

Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa

Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Faith Muthambi

Minister of Home Affairs, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize

Minister of Communications, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo

DEPUTY MINISTERS

Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba

Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Sifiso Buthelezi

Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Ben Martins

Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Maggie Sotyu

Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Gratitude Magwanishe

Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Thandi Mahambehlala

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe

Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Bongani Mkongi

Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Nomathemba November.

(Edited by Leeto M Khoza)