South Africa\u2019s president ousted his embattled education minister, clearing the path to secure backing from a key coalition partner for crucial budget legislation that\u2019s set to go before lawmakers this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is being replaced by Buti Manamela, the presidency said in a statement on Monday, without providing reasons for the change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nkabane has faced allegations of lying to parliament, which she has denied.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nkabane\u2019s dismissal marks the second time this month President Cyril Ramaphosa has acted against ministers from his African National Congress party who\u2019ve faced accusations of wrongdoing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on July 13 over explosive allegations that he sabotaged an investigation into political assassinations \u2014 allegations that he\u2019s also denied.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Democratic Alliance, the second-biggest party in South Africa\u2019s coalition government, had threatened to withhold support for Nkabane\u2019s departmental budget unless Ramaphosa acted against her. S<\/p>\n\n\n\n
uch a move risked blocking passage of the\u00a0Appropriation Bill<\/a>, which facilitates the allocation of government funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe president\u2019s dismissal of Nkabane is a step in the right direction and the DA will now support the departmental budget on higher education,\u201d DA national spokesman Willie Aucamp said by phone from Johannesburg on Monday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lawmakers will consider the Appropriation Bill on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The president has faced mounting calls to act against colleagues suspected of wrongdoing and show South Africa has emerged from the shadow of former President Jacob Zuma\u2019s almost nine-year rule, when members of the ANC were deeply implicated in corruption<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a separate statement late on Monday, Ramaphosa announced the suspension of Andrew Chauke as a director of public prosecutions in the nation\u2019s Gauteng province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe President believes Advocate Chauke\u2019s continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions \u2014 while facing serious accusations \u2014 would negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority as a whole,\u201d Ramaphosa\u2019s office said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chauke has been accused of mishandling or delaying prosecutions of high-level police officers and ANC officials \u2014 allegations he\u2019s denied, according to Johannesburg-based news website TimesLive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ramaphosa formed the so-called government of national unity with the business-friendly DA and other rivals after last year\u2019s parliamentary elections failed to produce an outright winner. Investors are counting on it to deliver reforms to boost anemic economic growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The DA laid charges against Nkabane on July 1, accusing her of making false claims over appointments to industrial training boards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n