Zuma’s night of the long knives

President Jacob Zuma has fired Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his biggest Cabinet reshuffle yet since assuming office in 2009.

In a brutal display of power, the president fired five ministers, including former tourism minister Derek Hanekom, who asked for Zuma to be recalled last year.

He also appointed six new deputy ministers.

Zuma now faces a revolt in his own party, with senior ANC leaders opposing his dramatic cuts to the executive authority. Former Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi has called for a peaceful march to National Treasury in Pretoria on Friday at 10:00.

Zuma has replaced Gordhan with Malusi Gigaba, the former home affairs minister, ANC Youth League leader and known Zuma loyalist.

ANC MP Sfiso Buthelezi replaces Mcebisi Jonas as deputy finance minister.

Buthelezi was advisor to Zuma during his years as MEC in KwaZulu-Natal, and former chairperson of the embattled Prasa.

Zuma axed Gordhan and Jonas, despite opposition from his party and alliance partners Cosatu and the SACP.

This week Zuma recalled Gordhan from an investor roadshow in London, stoking speculation that he was planning to recall the finance minister.

Gordhan has been a vocal opponent of Zuma’s family friends, the Guptas, and was embroiled in three ongoing court cases with the family's companies.

The new ministers are:

• Minister of Energy, Ms Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi

• Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi

• Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba

• Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula

• Minister of Public Works, Mr Nathi Nhleko

• Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Thembelani Nxesi

• Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa

• Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Faith Muthambi
• Minister of Home Affairs, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize

• Minister of Communications, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo

The new deputy ministers are:

• Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba

• Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Sifiso Buthelezi

• Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Ben Martins

• Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Maggie Sotyu

• Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Gratitude Magwanishe

• Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Thandi Mahambehlala

• Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe

• Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Bongani Mkongi

• Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

• Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Nomathemba November.

Sweet Jesus, I booked tickets to Greece last week

You did it again. Is there something you want to tell us?

I hope the big six do what they've threatened to do now.

I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.

I hope the big six do what they've threatened to do now.

Derek Hanekom‏ @Derek_Hanekom 7h7 hours ago
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Derek Hanekom Retweeted Ntsiki Mcingane
No reasons given. I saw it on the media release.

Say what? Stop being such a friggen snowflake

Just pointing out that for someone who claims to be an atheist you use the Lords name quite often and that I find it strange that when you do type out his name it’s normally with a capital G or J. I find this peculiar because atheist normally won’t use the capital G or J. Whilst I’m on this subject why is it that when you do you revert to the Christian God? Why not use sweet baby buda or holy mohamed instead for a change?

No need to get over sensitive sweetheart or did I hit an artery?

You guys are going to feel so stupid tomorrow morning when JZ and Gordhan appears on SABC1 together, and JZ, with his now famous chuckle, shouts "APRIL FOOLS!!!!".

In making the ruling on Friday, it has allowed for the possession, cultivation and use dagga at home, for private use.

It has also ruled that Parliament must change sections of the Drug Trafficking Act, as well as the Medicines Control Act.

It has 24 months to do so.

It's going to be allright

Dagga can be used in the home, Western Cape High Court rules

Discipline. That's all

It's going to be allright

Dagga can be used in the home, Western Cape High Court rules

An old mate was caught with a few hundred plants at a farm house he uses.
Out on a R1000 bail.

People, these days. But he will probably get out scot free, now.

"A few hundred plants"?




For personal consumption only I presume

I don't know. he and a mate "occupied" the house. Not sure how much dagga makes a zol.
Sounds a bit of "overkill", but I doubt he really wanted to trade in the stuff ... he's got other decent business interests.

But I was totally, totally surprised - an upstanding businessman, no less.
Strange things happen, these modern days.

I don't know. he and a mate "occupied" the house. Not sure how much dagga makes a zol.
Sounds a bit of "overkill", but I doubt he really wanted to trade in the stuff ... he's got other decent business interests.

But I was totally, totally surprised - an upstanding businessman, no less.
Strange things happen, these modern days.

Are you saying one cannot be a decent and successful businessman if you smoke zol

Are you saying one cannot be a decent and successful businessman if you smoke zol

I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.

It's going to be allright

Dagga can be used in the home, Western Cape High Court rules

I missed that, what did they promise?

I missed that, what did they promise?

Not if you sell the stuff zol is made of.

Given that its possible to pick up a bankie at pretty much every petrol station in the western cape this ruling is more of symbolic value than anything else.

Wut? Come on, echo, you're brighter than that. This legalises smoking dagga in private homes.

It will make my folks less anxious about any gardening I do at their plek in Hermanus.