President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced changes to his Cabinet, affecting seven portfolios, including agriculture, environment, trade, and social development. These adjustments follow internal shifts within the Democratic Alliance and include four deputy minister positions and two ministerial posts. Notably, former DA leader John Steenhuisen will now serve as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, replaced by Willie Aucamp as minister of agriculture. Aucamp's previous role as forestry, fisheries and environment minister will be filled by David Maynier, former Western Cape education minister. Yusuf Cassim, Federal Leader of the DA鈥檚 student organisation, has been appointed deputy minister of higher education, while Alexandra Abrahams moves to the electricity and energy portfolio. Jack Bloom will become the water and sanitation deputy minister. Additionally, Dina Pule, former minister of digital communications and current Deputy secretary-general of the ANC Women鈥檚 League, replaces Sisisi Tolashe as social development minister. Tolashe was removed in early May amid allegations of undisclosed use of donated vehicles and interference in department appointments.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
Experts have commended law enforcement's handling of recent countrywide anti-immigrant protests, contrasting it with the 2021 unrest. Willem Els, a senior criminologist from the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted the proactive strategy of the acting police minister, effective public communication, and the good work of policing sector stakeholders. He noted that the inclusion of the private sector and security companies in a holistic approach helped deter criminal elements. Els also pointed to the readiness of police and security, along with warnings about the rule of law, as contributing factors to the peaceful marches. An incident in Worcester, Western Cape, where marchers attempting to loot a shopping mall were dispersed and arrested, demonstrated this readiness. Mike Bolhuis, a specialist investigator, described the protest day as "under extreme control by the government," crediting government and private security services, and public cooperation. Witness Maluleke, a senior criminologist from the University of Limpopo, observed high police visibility in Johannesburg, Polokwane, and Pretoria CBDs, noting that protesters were peaceful and no injuries or human rights infringements were reported. Maluleke also commended the march organizers for ensuring the protection of human life and conveying their message without violence.
In Zeerust, North West, mothers are searching for their sons who they claim were taken by initiation schools without parental consent. Makgaila Khumalo expressed concern after her 16-year-old son disappeared, citing fears about initiation fees and potential fatalities. She stated she had refused his request to attend due to financial constraints. Another mother, Mmaonyanako Legodi, an unemployed single mother, said her son misled her and disappeared for the second time. North West police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh confirmed that illegal initiation schools are a concern, particularly in the Ngaka Modiri Molema region. Myburgh reported that 16 initiates were rescued from illegal schools in Matile village, Itsoseng, and Lichtenburg, with one owner apprehended after fleeing with nine initiates. The EFF North West spokesperson, Fanon Moema, criticized the provincial government's "reactive approach" to the proliferation of illegal initiation schools, stating that while they support legal cultural practices, they oppose illegal schools operating as "money-making schemes."
Protesters in Pretoria conducted largely peaceful demonstrations, closing shops and chanting anti-foreigner slogans while marching from Church Street past Tshwane House to the Sunnyside police station. Participants, some in uMkhonto weSizwe regalia, handed a memorandum to MMC for community safety Hannes Coetzee. Police deployed vehicles and aircraft to monitor the procession. Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for the acting minister of police, confirmed arrests for looting and attempted looting during the demonstrations. Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia urged responsible exercise of constitutional rights and warned that those committing criminal acts during the marches would face legal consequences.