Ramaphosa’s Days in Zuma’s Government Are Numbered, Says His Confidant

Citizen reporter

FILE PICTURE: Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and president Jacob Zuma share a lighthearted moment during a youth day event in Tshwane, 16 June 2015. Picture: Refilwe Modise

The deputy president is apparently aware that he might also get the chop soon.

Veteran unionist and a close friend of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr James Motlatsi, said the deputy president was next in line to be removed from President Jacob Zuma’s government, according to information they received.

Motlatsi said in an interview with eNCA on Tuesday that Ramaphosa would be axed the same way as former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his then deputy, Mcebisi Jonas.

“Let me say to you, unconfirmed reports are saying that [this will happen] very soon. I think, this item, Cyril even raised it in a meeting. We have been told by other people that the president himself, he is saying Cyril is a spy of Western capitalists, so we are waiting for that intelligence report to come out from him,” Motlatsi said.

However, Motlatsi said Ramaphosa must fight, as people elected him to that position.

“People must be able to know that he is fighting corruption, not talking about fighting corruption. He must be able to be pushed out fighting corruption,” he added.

Zuma shocked South Africans on Tuesday after announcing another Cabinet reshuffle that saw Blade Nzimande being axed as higher education and training minister.

These are the new appointments Zuma made to Cabinet:

Hlengiwe Mkhize is the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Ayanda Dlodlo is the Minister of Home Affairs
Mmamaloko Kubayi is the Minister of Communications
David Mahlobo is the Minister of Energy
Bongani Thomas Bongo is the Minister of State Security
Buti Manamela is the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training