South African president sacks 2 ministers, suspends police chief

South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday replaced two Cabinet ministers who had been implicated in investigations by the country's Public Protector. He also suspended the country's police chief. At a media briefing in Pretoria he announced the dismissal of South African Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka. According to the South African Press Association, Mahlangu- Nkabinde would be replaced by South African Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Thulas Nxesi. Current Public South African Works Minister Richard Baloyi would take up Shiceka's post. Zuma said South African national police commissioner Bheki Cele has been suspended. He said that in August he informed Cele of his intention to institute a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations of misconduct, in relation to lease agreements for police headquarters. Zuma said the board of inquiry will be led by retired Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, alongside advocates Terry Motau and Anthea Platt. Pending the outcome of the inquiry, he decided to suspend Cele with immediate effect.