'No crisis' as Presidency officials resign

The Presidency has announced three more departures by senior officials in its office but denied that there was a "crisis". "There is no exodus of staff, and there is no crisis or turmoil in the institution," the Presidency said in a statement posted on its website on Monday. "What is happening are normal staff movements as it happens in any organisation at any time," the Presidency said, adding it was concerned about "speculative reporting" on staff changes. The comments were contained in a statement entitled, "Staff changes in the Presidency", which confirmed weekend rumours of more departures by senior officials.

The statement said President Jacob Zuma's economic adviser Mandisi Mpahlwa and deputy director-general for communications Vusi Mona would move to other jobs. The presidency said that Mpahlwa had been appointed ambassador-designate to the Russian Federation. "Given the importance of Russia, we needed a seasoned cadre to represent the president and the national interest in that country," said the minister in the Presidency responsible for administration, Collins Chabane. Mpahlwa will assume the post in September.

Mona will move to the Government Communications and Information System. "The weekend media reports that Mr Mona has been asked to resign are incorrect," said the statement. "Meanwhile, President Zuma and Minister Chabane are currently in discussions with the Director-General, Mr Vusi Mavimbela regarding his role and this has not been finalised yet." The resignation of chief director for presidential support services Steyn Speed -- "who is leaving to undertake further studies" -- was also announced in the statement.

Zuma's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya resigned last week to "rejoin the corporate world". Chief operating officer Jessie Duarte resigned in April. At the time, the then deputy director-general in the Presidency -- and now chief of staff -- Lakela Kaunda, dismissed reports linking her to Jessie Duarte's resignation as "grossly incorrect" and "unfortunate". "I have never had a quarrel with Ms Jessie Duarte," said Kaunda at the time.

In February, it was reported that Duarte wrote an "emotional email" to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, citing a "smear" campaign, "gossip" and "vilification" as reasons for intending to leave.

Source: Mail & Guardian

Presidency announces Zuma advisers

Former safety and security minister and former defence minister Charles Nqakula will be Zuma's political adviser, while former trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa will serve as economic adviser.

Zuma's international relations adviser will be ANC national executive committee (NEC) member and former ambassador to Brazil, Lindiwe Zulu, while advocate Bonisiwe Makhene has been appointed legal adviser.

Makhene is currently deputy chief state law adviser in the Justice and Constitutional Development Department and will be seconded to the Presidency to perform the legal advisory role.

ANC NEC member and MP Ayanda Dlodlo has been appointed Zuma's parliamentary counsellor.

"The advisers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Presidency and will add much value to the President's determination to bring about faster change and improved service delivery," the Presidency said in a statement.

Mpahlwa, Nqakula and Zulu would resign from Parliament to take up their respective positions.

Source: Mail & Guardian