Ramaphosa approves DA reshuffle: Steenhuisen moved, three deputy ministers removed

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a sweeping set of changes to the DA’s Cabinet deployment, with John Steenhuisen reassigned and three DA deputy ministers removed from the executive, according to IOL.

What changed

According to IOL, the changes were confirmed in official letters dated June 30 and follow a proposal from DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis calling for a complete restructuring of the party’s Cabinet deployment. Ramaphosa approved every requested change, the report says.

Key appointments and moves

According to IOL, John Steenhuisen was reassigned from Minister of Agriculture to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. He will be succeeded as Agriculture Minister by Willie Aucamp, who leaves his post as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to take charge of the agriculture portfolio.

Deputy ministers removed and replacements

According to IOL, three DA deputy ministers were removed from the executive: Samantha Graham-Mare (Electricity and Energy), Sello Seitlholo (Water and Sanitation), and Mimmy Gondwe (Higher Education). IOL reports that Graham-Mare and Seitlholo publicly shared Ramaphosa’s letters thanking them for their service after being notified of their removal.

According to IOL, the reshuffle brings in a new group of DA leaders: Alexandra Abrahams has been appointed Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, replacing Graham-Mare; Jack Bloom will take over as Deputy Minister from Seitlholo; and Yusuf Cassim has been appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education, replacing Gondwe.

Other reported moves

According to IOL, David Maynier will leave his position as Western Cape Education MEC to become Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Next steps

The changes were communicated through official letters dated June 30, and IOL describes the reshuffle as carried out at the DA’s request following its leader’s submission. The report notes that President Ramaphosa approved the full set of requested adjustments.

This is a developing story.