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South Africa's trade and competition minister Patel to exit cabinet after election

South Africa's trade, market and competitors minister Ebrahim Patel said on Friday he will retire from cabinet after the May 29 nationwide election, the latest longstanding economics figure from the ruling African National Congress to step down from federal government.

Patel's department manages a variety of regulative and monetary development agencies, consisting of the competition commission which would have a say in any potential brand-new bid by BHP Group for Anglo American.

It has actually been a fantastic honour to serve my country as a member of cabinet for 15 years and three terms of workplace, Patel said in a statement. I have actually encouraged the President that I will conclude my service in cabinet at the end of this third term.

President Cyril Ramaphosa designated Patel as trade minister in 2019. Prior to this, he was the Minister of Economic Development.

South Africa's Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also revealed in March that he would not be available to serve in the next nationwide executive after the election.

Gordhan manages state entities consisting of having a hard time power utility Eskom and logistics firm Transnet, whose bad performances have actually dragged down South Africa's economic development.

Ramaphosa's ANC is at risk of losing its parliamentary majority for first time considering that 1994, according to polls.