African National Congress (ANC) member Paul Mashatile has been sworn in as the country's vice president.
He was sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at a ceremony at the Cape Town International Conference Centre.
Mashatile will return to his post after the May 29 national and provincial elections.
He is one of 76 new members of the National Executive being sworn in today.
The 32 ministers of the Government of National Unity (GNU) are drawn from various political parties. 43 deputy ministers will also be sworn in today.
Newly appointed Defence Minister Angie Motsega was the first to be sworn in.
Mashatile, who was sworn in under the watch of Zondo, pledged to dedicate himself to the wellbeing of the Republic and all its people.
LIVE STREAM | National Executive Swearing-in Ceremony:
Senzo Mchunu
Earlier, newly appointed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said he was ready to take up the job and wanted to tackle some of the key priority challenges facing South Africa, including high murder rates, rape and hijackings.
He replaces former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“Even before we have had any substantive briefing from the police, we know that murders are very high in the country, rapes are very high, car hijackings and burglaries are very high. These are some of the four biggest crimes in the country that people are concerned about and I share their concerns and I believe a strong response is needed,” Mchunu said.
– Additional reporting by Ntombi Mavimbela