{
  "id": 17206686,
  "title": "DIRCO shake-up as Lamola replaces Chrispin Phiri with Phindile Kunene",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/dirco-shake-up-as-lamola-replaces-chrispin-phiri-with-phindile-kunene",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T09:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-10-30-dirco-shake-up-as-lamola-replaces-chrispin-phiri-with-phindile-kunene/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola has reshuffled his team, replacing Chrispin Phiri with Phindile Kunene as the new spokesperson. This change was announced in a media statement released by the ministry on Friday. According to the statement, Phindile Kunene has now been appointed as the spokesperson to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.\n\nChrispin Phiri, who had been serving in the spokesperson role since July 2024, has been reassigned to a special project abroad. Phiri's tenure as the spokesperson for the department was marked by his service under Ronald Lamola, who was the justice minister during that period. Before his current role, Phiri had been the spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development from 2019 to 2024.\n\nThe ministry expressed its congratulations to Phindile Kunene on her new position, wishing her success in fulfilling her responsibilities. Additionally, they extended their gratitude to Chrispin Phiri for his dedication and service during his time as the spokesperson.",
  "summary": "International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has appointed Phindile Kunene as his new spokesperson after Chrispin Phiri was assigned to a special project abroad.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ronald Lamola reshuffles team, appoints Phindile Kunene as spokesperson",
    "Chrispin Phiri reassigned to special project abroad",
    "Ministry congratulates Kunene, thanks Phiri for service"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}