 In June 2017 Nzimande criticised President Zuma, calling his latest Cabinet reshuffle an abuse of power and repeating calls for him to step down.In October 2017, Nzimande was removed from his position as Minister of Higher Education and Training and replaced by Hlengiwe Mkhize.In October 2017, President Zuma, in a cabinet reshuffle, removed Nzimande from his position as the Minister of Higher Education and Training and replaced him with Hlengiwe Mkhize.