Tito Mboweni is set to return as South Africa’s finance minister, in a drastically reduced Cabinet, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Mboweni is likely to have former Gauteng finance MEC Barbara Creecy as his deputy. The economic policy cluster is to be reorganised, with the Trade and Industry and Economic Development departments merged and headed by former trade unionist Ebrahim Patel, deputised by David Masondo, a former South African Communist Party central committee member.

Having been praised for his efforts as head of the ANC’s elections, Fikile Mbalula is to head the Sports, which will merge with the Arts and Culture Departments. The Mining and Energy Departments could be merged, headed by Gwede Mantashe, and Jeff Radebe moving to the Foreign Affairs portfolio.  Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is tipped to return as the Minister in the Presidency. DM