By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked David Mabuza to remain in his position as the country’s deputy president until “the modalities of his departure” from office are finalised.
“Mabuza has expressed his desire to step down from his position, following the outcome of the governing party’s leadership elections in December 2022.
“However, Ramaphosa has requested the deputy president to remain in his role until such time the modalities of his departure and transition have been finalised,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a short statement.
This confirmation comes after Mabuza himself confirmed on Saturday that he was making way for the newly elected deputy president of the ANC, Paul Mashatile.
He said he believed it was logical that he resigns as the country’s second-in-command to make space for Mashatile, who was elected ANC deputy president at the party’s December conference.
Mabuza spoke for the first time publicly on Saturday at a family funeral in Mpumalanga, telling congregants that he had informed Ramaphosa that he had resigned as deputy president of the country.
“I am making space for the one elected at the conference because I can see he [Mashatile] is also making a few moves. So now I am also in a rush to give them space. I spoke to the president and told him I would step down.”
“The president will say that Mabuza has resigned. He [Ramaphosa] and I had an agreement. I said I would respect the president until I leave, so I have left, and I think those left will continue to respect him,” Mabuza said.
Mabuza’s public confirmation of his desire to depart the presidency follows a series of political events which saw Mashatile confirmed as an ANC member of parliament (MP) earlier this week.
Parliament announced this week that new MPs will be sworn-in on Monday. ’This will be ahead of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
It is expected that Mashatile will be joined by former premier and MEC in KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala, Maropene Ramokgopa, and another former MEC in Gauteng, Parks Tau, as new ANC MPs.
In a letter dated 5 February, issued by ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina, the ANC Parliamentary caucus thanked four MPs, Tshilidzi Munyai, Mervyn Dirks, Masefako Dikgale and Matshidiso Mfikoe, who resigned to make way for the new MPs.
“The four members [vacating their positions] have dedicated their lives to the service of the people of South Africa, and the ANC caucus wishes them well in their future endeavours,” read Majodina’s letter.
She added that “the ANC Parliamentary caucus is looking forward to welcoming the four members of the ANC who will take their oaths or affirmations as new MPs in the speaker’s office at noon on Monday; the four members are Paul Mashatile, Maropene Ramokgopa, Sihle Zikalala, and Parks Tau.”
Majodina also said the ANC caucus was looking “to benefit from their tremendous skills, talent, and experiences”.
Ramaphosa is expected to reshuffle his cabinet before Thursday when he delivers his State of The Nation Address (SONA).