Cabinet reshuffle; two ministers fired

Prime Minister Sam Matekane  has reshuffled cabinet for the first time,  firing two ministers and reassigning several others, the Office of the Government Secretary has announced.

Mokhethi Shelile and Honourable Letsema Adontsi have been released from cabinet with immediate effective.  The changes were made through Legal Notices 39, 40 and 41 of 2026, according to a press release today.

Selibe Mochoboroane moves from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition while Lebona Lephema shifts from Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development.

Lejone Mpotjoane has been moved from Foreign Affairs and International Relations to head the newly established Ministry of Energy and Mining. Thabo Mofosi leaves Agriculture to take over Environment and Forestry.

Limpho Tau moves from the Prime Minister’s Office to Foreign Affairs and International Relations. Four new appointments were also announced: ’Mamokete Ntšekhe becomes Minister of Health, Voeswa Tsheka heads the newly established Ministry of Home Affairs and Police, Nkhethoa Seetsa takes the newly established Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, and ’Makatleho Motsoasele joins as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The reshuffle creates two new ministries by splitting the former Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police into separate portfolios – Home Affairs and Police, and Local Government and Chieftainship. A new Ministry of Energy and Mining has also been established.

A swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers will be held at the Royal Palace.