Presidency confirms Whitfield's removal as deputy Trade & Industry minister
In a short statement thanking him for his service, no reason was provided for his removal.
FILE: Andrew Whitfield during his time as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Picture: @the_dtic/X
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has axed Andrew Whitfield as the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition.
His office, in a short statement, thanked Whitfield for his service, providing no reason for the removal.
Whitfield was one of two deputy ministers serving under Minister Parks Tau.
He was appointed just over a year ago, when the DA joined the ANC-led Government of National Unity.
The announcement follows speculation that President Cyril Ramaphosa would be announcing a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president wasn’t planning on a wholesale reshuffle.
"The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP from the position of Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition. The President has thanked the former deputy minister for the time he served in the role. However, the President has not indicated any intention to conduct a wholesale cabinet reshuffle."
In the wake of the president’s announcement, DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille has called an urgent federal executive meeting, which is expected to take place sometime later on Thursday.