President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced sweeping changes to the national executive, removing John Steenhuisen as agriculture minister at the request of DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, while appointing a minister previously dismissed by former president Jacob Zuma.

The reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, affects six ministries and sees Willie Aucamp take over as minister of agriculture following consultation with DA leadership within the Government of National Unity.

Steenhuisen’s tenure as Minister of Agriculture was heavily weighed down by a slow response to devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. His handling of the crisis – specifically around centralised vaccine procurement and legal disputes regarding private sector vaccinations – drew sharp criticism from farming groups and cost him favour within the agricultural community and his own party.

David Maynier has been appointed minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, whilst Steenhuisen moves into a deputy minister role for trade, industry and competition.

In a notable return to the executive, Dina Pule has been appointed minister of social development. Pule previously served in cabinet under Zuma before being removed having been found guilty of breaching Parliaments code of conduct.

Pule takes over from another disgraced minister, Sisisi Tolashe.

Two DA deputy ministers, Samantha Graham-Mare and Sello Seithlolo, have also been removed from cabinet following Hill-Lewis’s request to the president two weeks earlier. Both posted their dismissal letters on social media.

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Graham-Mare, who served in the electricity and energy portfolio, thanked minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, describing him as “incredible”. Both outgoing deputy ministers thanked former DA leader John Steenhuisen.

The changes also see Alexandra Abrahams appointed deputy minister of electricity and energy, Jack Bloom as deputy minister of water and sanitation, and Yusuf Cassim as deputy minister of higher education.

The reshuffle comes two years after the establishment of the GNU following the 2024 general election.

The president wished all incoming ministers and deputy ministers well in their roles.

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