14 Nov 2024

The second batch of newly appointed six cabinet ministers and four assistant ministers took oath of office to serve the nation with diligence and utmost respect.

Addressing the new ministers after a swearing-in yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko urged them to treat their officers and everyone else with utmost respect humility and submission.

“I look to you to take the flame. You are the bearers of the flame. We will have a cabinet that is responsive, agile and focused on delivering quality service to the people with respect and utmost humility,” he said.

He also encouraged them to ensure that they upheld the values and principles of government by keeping and treating any confidential information they would be entrusted with, by virtue of their office, responsibly and not use it for their personal advancement.

He said there would be no favours and that they should expect to deal with each other professionally and sincerely.

“A lot of the things that are going to happen will be no room for rehearsal. We will have to think on our feet to take the public where it belongs,” said the President.

The six ministers who took oath of office were; Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General (Retired) Pius Mokgware, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima and Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere.

The four assistant ministers are Mr Augustine Nyatanga for Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ignatius Moswaane for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile  for Communications and Innovation, and Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe for Trade and Entrepreneurship.

Earlier, during the announcement of the second batch of cabinet ministers, President Boko said their appointment was in line with Section 42(1) of the Constitution, which also stipulated that the number of ministers should not exceed 18 and Section 50(4) of the Constitution, which stated that ministers were responsible under the direction of the President for such assignments as he may from time to time assign.

He said the Constitution also established the office of assistant minister in terms of Section 42(2) and that Section 3 of the ministerial office stated that the number of assistant ministers should not exceed 10.

He explained that it was convenient to appoint ministers in batches of six because they had created new ministries and realigned others, noting that they had to migrate some functions to their right place.

He said the final batch of cabinet ministers and their assistants would be announced and sworn in today. Ends