The Zuma shuffle

All those taxpayer-funded luxury sedans have barely lost their 'new car' smell and already we are faced with a fresh batch of ministers. Not that we're complaining. Most – bar one, perhaps – of the ministers who were booted unceremoniously out of Zuma's Cabinet were simply living it up instead of living up to our not-particularly-high expectations. As long as the new ministers don't feel the need to splurge on newer cars and houses... But I have my doubts

Most of those fired, especially Women's Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda and Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, thoroughly deserved the axe.

The most suspicious exit is that of Geoff Doidge, who was known to play by the rules in his Public Works portfolio. Is his departure linked to his decision to investigate the controversial R500-million office-block tender for new police headquarters in Pretoria that police commissioner Bheki Cele signed off on?

New appointments made to please, not to improve - Times LIVE

What is worrying about Zuma's announcement, however, is that many of the high-profile appointments appear to have been motivated more by his desire to keep all factions that make up the ANC satisfied, rather than improve the work of government.

To appease the ANC Youth League, he awarded Fikile Mbalula the Department of Sports and Recreation. Zuma also promoted Paul Mashatile to be the full minister of arts and culture, therefore winning ruling party structures in Gauteng.

Deputy ministers - the vaguest job in government

Zuma has automatically created new support bases for himself by bringing in a slew of deputy ministers who can act as extras to protect him. Because they don't have defined roles, deputy ministers simply do whatever their ministers deem them to be capable of and in some cases they can keep an eye on the minister.

The creation of four new deputy ministerial positions increases the size of an already bloated administration at a huge cost to taxpayers.

Zuma axes ministers in bid to regain control - Financial Times

William Gumede, a political analyst, said the president “had been voted in not because people think he’s a great leader but because he promised to deal with health, poverty and education. But on all those things there has been no success whatsoever.”

Zuma keeps friends close, enemies closer - Mail & Guardian Online

The reshuffle was designed to create a “perception” that ministers were being held to account, Mr Gumede said, but was primarily aimed at neutralizing political rivals. “If he can lock those people in by giving them cabinet posts, they might support him in 2012 – or at least not oppose him.”