By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile will be sworn in as an Member of Parliament (MP), paving the way for him to become the head of government business amid speculation that David Mabuza has indicated a willingness to resign as deputy president ahead of a cabinet reshuffle.
In a letter to the ruling party’s secretary general Fikile Mbalula, the National Assembly (NA) secretary Masibulelo Xaso confirms that Mashatile will replace ANC MP Tshilidzi Munyai, who resigned earlier this week.
“I refer to your letter addressed to the Speaker dated 30 January 2023, nominating Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile to fill the seat that will become vacant due to the resignation of T B Munyai with effect from 1 February 2023. The necessary arrangements will be made for the swearing in of the new member and the relevant divisions of Parliament will be informed accordingly, “Xaso in his letter said.
Former Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau is also set to return to the Nationa Assembly (NA) after he was replaced as chairperson of the Gauteng legislature finance committee.
Acting legislature speaker Nomvuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela named ANC member Mpapa Kanyane as acting chairperson effective from 1 February.
The series of resignations were part of the ANC’s reconfiguration of its provincial party lists, its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, told the media recently.
The ANC has remained tight-lipped on when Ramaphosa would announce a reshuffle, but the party had indicated this would happen soon and it said it believed party leaders should align with government deployments.