File photo shows South African President Jacob Zuma in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, to attend the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Sept. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

CAPE TOWN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday announced a cabinet reshuffle, including the sacking of the minister of higher education.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to make the following changes to the National Executive," Zuma said in a statement.

This was the second cabinet reshuffle in seven months.

One of the prominent changes in the cabinet is the sacking of Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, who is also the Secretary General of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Nzimande has been a strong critic of Zuma for his alleged involvement in a series of corruption scandals.

Nzimande is replaced by Hlengiwe Mkhize, former Minister of Home Affairs.

Mkhize was replaced by Ayanda Dlodlo, former Minister of Communications.

Mmamaloko Kubayi, former Minister of Energy, took over as Minister of Communications.

Former Minister of State Security David Mahlobo is now the Minister of Energy.

Bongani Bongo, a little known Member of Parliament, took over Mahlobo as the Minister of State Security.

Zuma also appointed Buti Manamela, former Deputy Minister in the Presidency, as 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," Zuma said.

The SACP strongly criticized the reshuffle, which it said has nothing to do with strengthening the state, but rather an attempt to silence the SACP's fight against corruption.

The sacking of Nzimande has been anticipated for some time as he actively supports a growing call for Zuma to resign.

The SACP, a coalition partner with the ruling African National Congress (ANC), called on the ANC to take firm action against Zuma for damaging the organization.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said it is not surprised by Zuma's cabinet reshuffle.

The DA called the reshuffle "the latest move in Zuma's war against anyone who opposes his project of state capture."

On March 31, Zuma reshuffled the cabinet, sacking Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and several other ministers. The move rattled the financial market and prompted international rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Fitch to downgrade South Africa's sovereign credit to junk status in April.