Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday announced changes to his national executive, in a surprise second Cabinet reshuffle in less than seven months.

Zuma announced that after "careful consideration", he decided to make six changes to his Cabinet that included shifting ministers who had just been appointment to new portfolios during the controversial midnight March reshuffle, labelled the "night of the long knives".

The changes include shifting Hlengiwe Mkhize to the higher education portfolio to replace Blade Nzimande. The only new addition is relative unknown Bongani Thomas Bongo was appointed state security minister.

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Here is the statement:

"After careful consideration, I have decided to make the following changes to the National Executive;

1. Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize is the Minister of Higher Education and Training

2. Ms Ayanda Dlodlo is the Minister of Home Affairs

3. Ms Mmamaloko Kubayi is the Minister of Communications

4. Mr David Mahlobo is the Minister of Energy

5. Adv. Bongani Thomas Bongo is the Minister of State Security

6. Mr Buti Manamela is the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training

I thank the former members of the National Executive for good service in their previous portfolios.

I wish the members who are assuming new portfolios all the best in their new responsibilities."