STAFF REPORTER
ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been sworn in as an MP, paving the way for him to become the Leader of Government Business amid confirmation that David Mabuza has tendered his resignation ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle.
On Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula led the swearing-in of four new members including Mashatile, ANC deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Maropene Ramokgopa, former KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and former City of Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau as new Members of Parliament.
Mashatile said Ramaphosa has ”not yet” briefed ANC top seven on the looming cabinet reshuffle.
He said cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the President: ”I don’t know what he is thinking.’
”I am deployed as a member of Parliament, and I will serve as such. As far as I know David Mabuza is still the deputy president of the republic,” he said.
Mashatile said: ”We would like to come serve our people, I was here before, I spent 25 years in government and then left- so it’s good to be back. There is a lot of work to be done.”
”We are here to implement the work of the ANC, we are joining a team of other comrades who have been here and we are going to join them to ensure that we serve our people well.”
On Saturday, Mabuza said the president has already accepted his resignation, adding that he will be making the announcement soon during his much-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle in the next coming days.
In a letter to the ANC’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, the National Assembly Secretary Masibulelo Xaso said that Mashatile is replacing ANC MP Tshilidzi Munyai, who resigned last Wednesday.
Tau has also been replaced as finance committee chairperson in the Gauteng provincial legislature.
On Sunday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president has asked Mabuza to stay on as Deputy President for now until the modalities of his departure and transition processes were finalised.
“Deputy President Mabuza has expressed his desire to step down from his position, following the outcome of the governing party’s leadership elections in December 2022,” said Magwenya.
“However, President Ramaphosa has requested the deputy president to remain in his role until such time the modalities of his departure and transition have been finalised.”
INSIDE POLITICS.
