On 4 June, the State President of South Africa, B. J. Vorster, resigned after the publication of the third Erasmus Report on the Information scandal which accused him of having "concealed irregularities from the Cabinet, regardless of the consequences".
Mr. Marais Viljoen, the president of the Senate, was appointed acting state president.
Mr. J. T. Kruger, the Minister of Justice, Police and Prisons was dropped from the Cabinet on 14 June, and was shortly afterwards elected as the new President of the Senate. Mr. Kruger became Minister of Police in 1974, and since that date claims of more than R1 million had been brought against him as a result of alleged assaults on detainees and prisoners, and for wrongful arrest.
The new Cabinet as announced by the Prime Minister, P. W. Botha, on 14 June is as follows:
- Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and National Security: P. W. Botha. * Manpower Utilisation: S. P. Botha. * Cooperation and Development: Dr. P. G. J. Koornhof. * Agriculture: H. Schoeman * Industrial Affairs and Trade and Consumer Affairs: Dr. S. W. van der Merwe * Finance: Senator O. P. F. Horwood * Transport: J. C. Heunis * Community Development and Coloured Relations and Indian Affairs: S. J. M. Steyn * Justice and the Interior: A. L. Schlebusch * Water Affairs and Forestry: A. J. Raubenheimer * Posts and Telecommunications: H. H. Smit * Foreign Affairs: R. F. Botha * Mines and Environmental Planning and Energy: F. W. de Klerk * Police and Prisons: L. le Grange * National Education and Sport and Recreation: T. N. H. Janson * Public Works, Statistics and Tourism: Dr. A. P. Treurnicht * Health and Social Welfare and Pensions: Dr. L. A. P. A. Munnik * Education and Training: Dr. F. Hartzenberg
The deputy Ministers are:
- Defence and National Security: H. J. Coetsee * Agriculture: S. A. S. Hayward * Interior and Community Development: S. F. Kotze * Finance: P. T. C. du Plessis * Cooperation and Development: Dr. G. de V Morrison * Cooperation and Development: J. J. G. Wentzel
