Cape Town – ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula on Friday reportedly addressed growing concerns over the delayed announcement of the Cabinet reshuffle, saying, however, that the postponement had nothing to do with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ill health.
Reports on Friday that the announcement of changes to Ramaphosa’s executive on Thursday was postponed abruptly after he fell ill.
The Cabinet reshuffle has been a burning topic following news of Deputy President David Mabuza’s resignation as a member of parliament on Wednesday.
Addressing the media on Friday, Mbalula confirmed the president’s ill health and urged South Africans to be patient ahead of the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, SABC News reported.
“The president in the Cabinet meeting the other day (during) the state visit I think he did catch some flu and I was there. In terms of what happens about it and how that is linked to the Cabinet reshuffle I don’t know,” Mbalula said.
He also said that there “are creative people working among us who are making up stories”. He said that the president will make the announcement when ready.
“When Cabinet reshuffle has to happen, you will be informed,” said Mbalula.
According to News24 Mbalula said the delay in the announcement of the new Cabinet has led to growing impatience among some within the party.
He alleged that some ANC members and the public were driven by self-interest in questioning the delays.
“You can imagine in the ANC, self-interest is driving the question of ‘why he did not include me. I mean, really does he think I am that bad’?
“Its anxieties that are not raised by principle; they are not informed by principle,” the report quoted Mbalula as saying.
ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile is expected to take over deputy president’s duties, with heightening speculation that recently sworn-in member of Parliament, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanawas will make way for the appointment of a minister of electricity, IOL reported.
The report said it is expected the electricity minister will come from outside the national legislature, adding that the law allows the president to appoint two people outside of parliament.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
