Cape Town –The African National Congress (ANC) is reportedly debating whether Vice President David Mabuza is medically fit to hold office following his return from Russia last week.
According to Sunday Times, some members of the national working committee (NWC) are questioning if he should continue in his post.
Mabuza returned from Russia on Wednesday last week after a prolonged absence.
The deputy president left the country in June for medical treatment – for an unspecified ailment – after he took a leave of absence, IOL reported.
The ANC may need to request access to his medical records to determine if he should continue in his role, the Sunday Times said.
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Meanwhile, according to The Citizen, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded full breakdown costs of Mabuza’s trip to Russia.
DA shadow minister Solly Malatsi said now that Mabuza is back and in good health, “he and his office should provide transparency on the details of the trip”.
“In the interest of openness and transparency, the deputy president must provide receipts and proof that he paid out of his own pocket for this trip.”
But according to EWN, Mabuza’s office has maintained that he personally paid for his travel expenses.
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The report said that the official opposition has called on the Surgeon-General to update the nation on the deputy president’s health. While this is unlawful, the party has argued that the public has the right to know whether he is fit to continue in office and carry out his constitutional duties.
Mabuza returned to the country after protests and looting that placed South Africa in an even deeper crisis.
The violence was triggered by the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma and claimed more than 350 lives.
Mabuza, 60, previously claimed to have been poisoned in 2015 and made his first visit to Russia then for specialist medical treatment. In 2018 he was named a special envoy to Russia, a Bloomberg report said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
