Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka, whose office oversees local administrations, and Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu Nkabinde will leave government, Zuma told reporters.
Police commissioner Bheki Cele, who is not in the cabinet, was suspended on full pay pending an inquiry, Zuma added. All three have been accused of abuse of office by an anti-corruption body which recommended Zuma take action against them.
With his standing in the ruling African National Congress at an all-time low ahead of an election for the ANC leadership in just over 14 months, Zuma appeared to be responding to complaints, most notably from his allies in the trade union federation COSATU, of endemic corruption in his administration.
Noting the findings against the three by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, the anti-graft investigator, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said: “Clearly the public protector’s report was part of the consideration and resulted in some changes in the cabinet.” He added it was “not the sole reason”.
Independent political analyst Nic Borain, welcoming the dismissals as positive for South African governance, said: “An expectation that such a significant reshuffle would not be influenced by the power struggles within the ANC would be naive.
“But on an initial reading we are cautiously optimistic.”
COSATU said it hoped it was a “turning point”: “From now on there must be a policy of zero-tolerance to the looting of public resources by anyone, in the public or private sector, no matter how senior their position,” it said in statement.