CAPE TOWN – The country’s new cabinet ministers and their deputies were sworn-in at Tuinhuis on Wednesday.

According to a political analyst, the appointment of Lindiwe Sisulu as the new Public Service and Administration minister should not be seen as a demotion.

The former defence minister was shifted following Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Sisulu takes over from the late Roy Padayachee, who passed away in Ethiopia earlier this year.

Independent political analyst David Monyae said her new post was not insignificant.

“I think the president wants someone with a much stronger hand to bargain with trade unions and at the same time, restructure the entire public sector.” 

President Jacob Zuma reshuffled his cabinet for the third time.

He moved Sibusiso Ndebele from the Transport Department to Correctional Services.

It has been speculated that his removal was due to his handling of the Gauteng e-tolling system. 

Former Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is now the new defence minister.