Paul Mashatile

Four ANC MPs were sworn in on Monday, 6 February. Image: Twitter/@ANCParliament

Mashatile clarifies: David Mabuza remains Deputy President

Four ANC MPs, including the man who would be Deputy President took their oaths in Parliament on Monday.

Paul Mashatile

Four ANC MPs were sworn in on Monday, 6 February. Image: Twitter/@ANCParliament

Four ANC members were sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday, 6 February, including Paul Mashatile, the man widely expected to be the country’s next Deputy President.

READ: LIST: These are the four ANC cadres joining Parliament on Monday

MASHATILE COY ON DEPUTY PRESIDENT POSITION

Over the weekend, David Mabuza publicly announced his resignation as the country’s second-in-command. However, President Cyril Ramaphosa asked him to remain in his position until “the modalities around his departure are finalised.”

Mashatile replaced Mabuza as ANC Deputy President at the party’s elective conference in December. On Saturday, Mabuza told those gathered at a family funeral in Mpumalanga that he was “making space for the one elected at the conference because I can see he (Mashatile) is also making a few moves.”

READ: Ramaphosa rejects Mabuza’s resignation, asks him to stay on during transition

After being sworn in on Monday, Mashatile said he was only sworn in as an MP and that deciding who is the country’s Deputy President is the President’s prerogative.

ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina also downplayed Mashatile’s ascendency, saying, “There is nothing written in black and white that says the Deputy President of the ANC automatically becomes the Deputy President of the country.”

However, the Chief Whip conceded that Mabuza had signalled his intention to vacate his position. “I’ve met with him several times. So, we’re just waiting for the President to give a nod or not.”

According to SABC News, Parliament spokesperson Moto Mothapo also confirmed that Mabuza has not resigned as an ANC MP yet.

Other ANC MPs sworn in on the day include Sihle Zikalala, Parks Tau and Maropene Ramakgopa. The trio is also expected to be appointed to Ramaphosa’s cabinet.

READ: SONA 2023: Malema vows to confront Ramaphosa during Address

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