Cape Town – African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Paul Mashatuile was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) on Monday, paving the way for him to become South Africa’s deputy president.
Mashatile’s swearing-in came as President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to reshuffle his Cabinet before Thursday when he delivers his State of the Nation address.
According to News24, Mashatile, however, refused to answer any questions about his future, saying that David Mabuza remained the deputy president of the country.
“I have been deployed to Parliament. I am the deputy president of the ANC, and the deputy president of the country is the prerogative of the president. He should decide that. For now, I am happy to serve here as MP. It’s good to be back here,” the report quoted Mashatile as saying.
It’s official, Paul Mashatile is a member of Parliament pic.twitter.com/EEzg9ptH5D
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) February 6, 2023
This was after journalists pressed him on whether he would take over the reins of Mabuza, who, according to EWN, confirmed over the weekend that had tendered his resignation to Ramaphosa.
Mabuza, who spoke on the sidelines of a funeral in Mpumalanga on Saturday reportedly said that it was only logical that he step down as the country’s second-in-command, to make space for Mashatile.
Mr Paul Mashatile has just been sworn in as new Member of the National Assembly by the Speaker of the National Assembly pic.twitter.com/lNjtVxMWOr
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 6, 2023
Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, outgoing Gauteng MEC for economic development Parks Tau, and newly-elected ANC second deputy secretary general Maropene Ramokgopa were also sworn in as MPs.
According to The Citizen, Mashatile said the new MPs will be briefed by the ANC’s chief whip about their new responsibilities.
ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile on his return to parliament pic.twitter.com/9AlrH84Fm0
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) February 6, 2023
“We will serve with dignity and respect whatever tasks we are given,” he said.
Mashatile was one of the ANC’s top seven officials who were elected at the party’s 55th National Elective Conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre in December.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
