The new heads of department in correctional services and sports and recreation have the adequate skills to enhance delivery in their portfolios, Acting Minister of Public Service Administration Sicelo Shiceka said on Wednesday.

Shiceka said the transfers had been done "in the best interests of the whole of government and the country".

He said former national commissioner of correctional cervices, Vernie Petersen, would help accelerate the country's preparations for the hosting of 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Petersen has been moved to the department of sports and recreation, while former director general of sport and recreation, Xoliswa Sibeko, will take up his position.

Shiceka said the transfers were done "in terms of the legislative and policy prescript of government and are a normal practice in South Africa and in any other country".

He called on all affected parties to understand and allow the two heads of department to settle in and deliver on their new contractual obligations.

On Monday, Independent Online (IOL) reported MPs had been "angered by Balfour's decision to swap Petersen, who had had run-ins with the minister over a lucrative catering contract", with Sibeko.

"In a deal that was brokered by Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi, Balfour and Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile agreed to swap their DGs, having each had a tumultuous relationship with their respective DGs," IOL said.