South African President Jacob Zuma is refusing to give reasons for a Cabinet reorganization, a move that is drawing heat from commentators and critics.
A leading South African newspaper, The Times, said the public has a right to know why ministers are dropped or moved to new positions, and suggested the president is more concerned with party politics than government services.
Zuma's office fired back, saying is it the president's "prerogative" to name the members of the Cabinet, adding that "He does not need to provide reasons."
President Zuma fired three ministers and shifted others to new positions in the reorganization announced Tuesday.
Those fired included Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, a political rival of the president's.
Zuma has come under criticism for failing to tackle corruption and improve basic services like electricity and clean water for millions of black South Africans, 20 years after the end of apartheid.
A leading South African newspaper, The Times, said the public has a right to know why ministers are dropped or moved to new positions, and suggested the president is more concerned with party politics than government services.
Zuma's office fired back, saying is it the president's "prerogative" to name the members of the Cabinet, adding that "He does not need to provide reasons."
President Zuma fired three ministers and shifted others to new positions in the reorganization announced Tuesday.
Those fired included Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, a political rival of the president's.
Zuma has come under criticism for failing to tackle corruption and improve basic services like electricity and clean water for millions of black South Africans, 20 years after the end of apartheid.