Ramaphosa seemingly gives embattled Simelane a lifeline in Cabinet reshuffle

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has seemingly given embattled Justice Minister Thembi Simelane a lifeline, moving her to a different portfolio instead of giving her the boot.

On Tuesday night, the president announced that he was moving Simelane to the department of human settlements.

The move, which sees her swapping roles with Mmamoloko Kubayi, comes on the back of mounting allegations of wrongdoing, including questions posed by some in the media about her lifestyle.

Scrutiny around the minister is linked to a personal loan she took from Gundo Investments, which has been implicated in the looting of VBS Bank.

It has taken six months for the first mini-shake-up of the Government of National Unity (GNU)'s Cabinet, five of which for Simelane were shrouded in claims of wrongdoing.

She's claimed there was no conflict of interest in the 2016 personal loan she received from an alleged fixer linked to the looting of VBS.

Meanwhile, in recent months Simelane's had to account to Parliament, the president and even the African National Congress (ACN)'s integrity commission over the saga.

President Ramaphosa, following a long silence on the matter, has seemingly opted to remove her out of the direct firing line but not from Cabinet.

Ramaphosa said that the mini-shuffle was aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of Cabinet in delivering its mandate.