By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Paul Mashatile was sworn in as a member of parliament (MP) on Monday, paving the way for him to be eligible for a seat in Cabinet.
Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula facilitated the swearing in, at which Mashatile swore “to be faithful to the republic of South Africa and … obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the republic”.
The other ANC members to be sworn in were Maropene Ramokgopa,Sihle Zikalala and Parks Tau.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to shuffle the cabinet before his State of the Nation address (Sona) on Thursday.
Mashatile, elected ANC deputy president in December at the party’s conference, was not previously an MP, a requirement for being appointed to cabinet. He is also not listed on the ANC’s parliamentary list from the 2019 national elections, which can only be changed in March.
Four MPs — Tshilidzi Munyai, Mervyn Dirks, Masefako Dikgale and Matshidiso Mfikoe — resigned last week, allowing the addition of four new members, the ANC parliamentary caucus announced on Sunday.
The newly sworn-in MP’s made a brief appearance before the media, wearing big smiles on their faces.
“We are ready to serve, as you can see we have just been sworn-in,” said Mashatile.
Despite reports that Mashatile will replace David Mabuza as the deputy president of the country, he simply said he did not know much.
“As far as I know, Mabuza is still the deputy president. The last time I saw him, he was the deputy president of the country,” said Mashatile.
Mabuza has already indicated that he wants to step down from the deputy president position to allow Mashatile to take over.
Mashatile served as an MP from 2010 until 2016 when he was recalled to Gauteng, where he served as MEC of human settlement under David Makhura.