PHUTI MOSOMANE
President Cyril Ramaphosa told editors on Sunday that there is no plan to remove deputy president Paul Mashatile.
ANC Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri facilitated a media engagement session with President Ramaphosa and senior journalists on “a range of issues of national interest” discussed in the party’s NEC meeting in Boksburg.
Ramaphosa’s response follows reports in Sunday papers in which the Deputy President said there is a plan to remove him by August.
Mashatile said he believed those who are plotting to remove him have not given up from their failed campaign in December last year when he was elected ANC deputy president.
Last week Mashatile was dragged into controversy when a video emerged of his security detail beating up people on the side of the road. The eight VIP protection unit members have been suspended.
A few days before the incident went viral on social media, a close Ramaphosa ally Benjamin Chauke issued a statement in which he rejected claims that he was leading the plot to destabilise Mashatile’s office.
Chauke said it has come to his attention that there are manipulated fake WhatsApp chats regarding the plot to disrupt the stability and operations of the Office of the Deputy President via the media.
“One of the phone numbers linked to the fake chats is similar to mine. I have no idea why my number is associated with the underhanded plan to discredit the Deputy President.
“I distance myself from this fake communication and commit myself to report the matter to the relevant law enforcement agencies for in-depth investigation,” said Chauke.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa said he had a conversation with Mashatile over his concerns that there’s a plot to remove him.
“I appoint the Deputy President. No one else can remove him. There is no plan to this effect” Ramaphosa said.
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