South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma on Monday announced the suspension of the national police chief and a Cabinet minister after the two were caught up in a police headquarters leasing scandal.

Zuma also announced the members of the board of the arms deal inquiry. The announcements followed months of calls for Zuma to act decisively against corruption.

Zuma told reporters that Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka and Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu Nkabinde will leave cabinet.

Shiceka was suspected of spending R600,000 rand on unauthorised travel including overseas visits to a girlfriend imprisoned in Switzerland for drug smuggling.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde has been replaced by deputy minister of rural development and land reform Thulas Nxesi.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has urged Zuma to take strong action against those involved in the SA Police Service lease deals, as well as Shiceka for his abuse of public money.

The ANC said the Cabinet reshuffle would contribute significantly to strengthening government performance and capacity.

“In this regard, the ANC would 1/8like 3/8 to praise and equally endorse the president’s action and decisiveness,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions said it hoped the announcement marked a turning point in the fight against maladministration and corruption.

“From now on there must be a policy of zero-tolerance to the looting of public resources by anyone, in the public or private sector, no matter how senior their position,” the trade union federation said in a statement.

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