Following weeks of speculation, President Cyril Ramaphosa has finally made executive changes in his cabinet.
This after he fired the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dr Dion George, and replaced him with the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson, Willem Aucamp.
“In accordance with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, I have appointed Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp, Minister. Consequently, I have removed Dr. Dion George from the portfolio in accordance with section 91 (2) of the Constitution,” said the presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.
Ramaphosa however didn’t reveal reasons for the dismissal of George, following his admission that he holds a US-dual citizenship.
There were reports that the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, requested the president to dismiss George, after he allegedly refused a demotion, to another government department.
Steenhuisen has however denied the allegations, adding that George’s removal is not due to external pressure and interests.
“The DA entered the Government of National Unity in June 2024 with a clear mission: to confront South Africa’s most urgent challenges and to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens. Central to this commitment to putting people at the centre of our concerns is our ongoing fight for the implementation of bold economic reforms that will unlock growth, attract investment, and create jobs. I thank Dr George for his service and look forward to working with him in other important roles,” said Steenhuisen.
Meanwhile, in another development, Ramaphosa appointed DA MP Alexandra Abrahams as deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Abrahams replaces Andrew Whitfield, whom Ramaphosa fired in June after he travelled to the United States without the president’s approval.
Ramaphosa fired Whitfield in June after the DA EC leader travelled to the US without the president’s approval.
The president wished both Aucamp and Abrahams well in their new portfolios.
