For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Cabinet could be reduced by as many as nine departments and 15 deputy ministries, Ramaphosa says government will speed up economic reforms and, calls for Mayor Gumede to resign amid corruption charges

Cabinet could be reduced by as many as nine departments and 15 deputy ministries

President Cyril Ramaphosa could reduce his national executive by as many as nine departments and ministries when he announces the reconfiguration of his Cabinet soon.

Various unverified lists are being circulated, with Ramaphosa under pressure to omit controversial ministers including Bathabile Dlamini and Nomvula Mokonyane.

According to a number of sources in the governing party and broader alliance, it appears as if Ramaphosa looks set to take control of the finance, economics and security cluster, with allies proposed to take charge of vital ministries.

Ramaphosa says government will speed up economic reforms

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed that government will speed up economic reforms to revive an ailing economy and attract foreign investors.

Analysts have said boosting South African growth and overhauling debt-laden power firm Eskom were post-election priorities for the ANC, after a decade of slow growth and rising joblessness.

Ramaphosa said more details on how the reforms would be implemented would be announced in his State of the Nation address, scheduled for next month.

Calls for Mayor Gumede to resign amid corruption charges

eThekwini metro mayor Zandile Gumede has been called on to step down following her appearance in court on Tuesday in connection with alleged fraud and corruption. Councillor Mondli Mthembu is her co-accused in the matter.

The Organisation Undoing Taxi Abuse provincial manager Tim Tyrrell said unless the mayor is able to clear her name, she should step down and put the city's needs first, allowing her time to fight this matter in court.

Gumede appeared in the Durban Commercial Crime Court in connection with a multi-million rand waste removal tender. 

She was granted R50 000 bail, along with Mthembu, who is also the chairperson of the human settlements and infrastructure committee.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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