Bheki Cele loses job of South Africa's national police commissioner - President also announces Cabinet Minister changes

"I have decided to release General Cele from his duties," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria.

The new national police commissioner is Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega.

Zuma said: "It is my pleasure to announce the new National Police Commissioner today, who takes office with immediate effect. She is Ms Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega, who is currently the chairperson of the Presidential Review Committee on State-Owned Enterprises and the Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Commission on the Remuneration of Office-Bearers".

Phiyega is currently also a director at Tsa Rona Investments. She previously held positions in the corporate sector, including Absa. Prior to that, she served on the boards of Transnet and the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa.

She was part of the 2010 Soccer World Cup bid committee and received a special award for her work. The University of Limpopo bestowed a community work leadership award on her.

Who's Who South Africa says her nickname is 'Riah'. A social worker by training, she went on to complete advanced studies in executive leadership and business administration.

She is active in the Tshwane Ladies Forum Uniting Reformed Church.

Explaining his decision to dismiss Cele as national police commissioner, the president referred to the board of inquiry mandated to establish whether Cele acted corruptly, dishonestly, or with an undeclared conflict of interest in relation to two police lease deals signed with business tycoon Roux Shabangu -- one for a building in Pretoria, another for a building in Durban.

"The board has found General Cele to be unfit for office and has recommended his removal from office in terms of the provisions of section 8(6)(b)(v) of the South African Police Service Act No. 68 of 1995," said Zuma.

"Having thoroughly considered the report of the board, and applied my mind thereto, I have decided to release General Cele from his duties.

"General Cele still has a lot to contribute to the country given his experience and commitment to making South Africa a better place for all each day," said Zuma.

Last year, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Cele's that involvement in deals to acquire police office space was "improper, unlawful, and amounted to maladministration". She said while Cele had not signed the final lease, he had initiated negotiations with Shabangu, and had seemed determined to secure the leases despite warnings against them.

• In his immediate response, Cele thanked everyone who helped him turn the SA Police Service around, his spokesman said.

"He also wishes to thank the men and women of the SAPS for their dedicated and brave response to his rallying call for them to make sure that South Africans are not only safe, but also feel safe in the land of their fathers," Cele's spokesman Vuyo Mkhize said in a statement.

• Zuma also announced changes to the Cabinet.

Here is a list of the appointees:

- Public Service and Administration Minister: Lindiwe Sisulu.

- Defence Minister: Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula.

- Transport Minister: Ben Martins.

- Correctional Services Minister: Sibusiso Ndebele.

- Deputy Transport Minister: Sindisiwe Chikunga.

- Deputy Public Enterprises Minister: Gratitude Magwanishe.

- Deputy Public Works Minister: Jeremy Cronin

- Deputy Economic Development Minister: Hlengiwe Mkhize.

- Deputy Higher Education Minister: Mduduzi Manana.