By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel has been appointed as an MP, giving President Cyril Ramaphosa more flexibility when it comes to revamping his executive.
Under SA law, the president can name two people who are not MPs to his cabinet. Those positions were occupied by finance minister Enoch Godongwana, who was made an MP last week, and Patel, who was sworn in on Monday.
Pemmy Majodina, the ANC’s chief whip in the legislature, confirmed Patel’s swearing-in.
The changes suggest that Ramaphosa will retain both Godongwana and Patel as ministers when he announces changes to his Cabinet at 7pm on Monday, and assign one or two posts to people who aren’t members of the National Assembly.
Patel has been serving in Cabinet for almost four years without being a MP.
He has been in his current ministerial role since 30 May 2019, and he replaces African National Congress (ANC) MP Linda Moss. Prior to 2019, Patel was the minister of economic development since 11 May 2009.
Among the positions Ramaphosa has to fill is that of deputy president, after David Mabuza resigned last week. That role is traditionally given to the ANC’s deputy leader, a post occupied by Paul Mashatile.
Ramaphosa is also expected to name a new electricity minister, who will be tasked with overseeing the government’s response to an energy crisis that’s led to record rolling blackouts. Among those considered for the position are Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who heads up the infrastructure department in the Presidency and isn’t in Parliament.