President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked David Mabuza to remain the country’s deputy president until the “modalities of his departure” from office are completed.
“Vice President Mabuza has expressed his desire to resign from his post, following the results of the ruling party leadership election in December 2022.
“However, President Ramaphosa has asked the deputy president to remain in his role until such time as he departs and the transition is complete,” Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, said in a brief statement to The Warga.
Mabuza insisted on resigning
This follows Mabuza’s confirmation on Saturday that he has tendered his resignation as the country’s second in command, after widespread speculation that he had resigned.
Also read: David Mabuza confirms resignation as SA deputy president
Speaking at his sister’s funeral in Mpumalanga, Mabuza said he was stepping down to make way for newly elected African National Congress (ANC) vice-president Paul Mashatile to take up his post at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
He said Ramphosa would formally announce his resignation to the country.
“The president will announce that Mabuza has left. I promise to respect the president until I leave. I hope those who enter will also respect the president,” said Mabuza.
Mabuza failed to make a comeback as ANC deputy president after rejecting his nomination for the position at the ruling party’s 55th national elective conference in December.
Ramaphosa is expected to reshuffle his cabinet this month, and Mashatile will be sworn in this week as a Member of Parliament (MP).
This is after he was nominated by the ANC to fill the seat of former ANC MP Tshilidzi Munyai, who resigned last week.
NOW Read: Paul Mashatile to be sworn in as Member of Parliament