South Africa’s vice president, David Mabuza, will step down, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Thursday ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle.
Addressing parliament in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said Mabuza “has indicated his desire to resign from his position.”
He thanked Mabuza, 62, for his “unwavering support” over the past five years, during which he said the pair had worked “side by side”.
The move had been long-awaited, and Mabuza had said earlier this month at his brother’s funeral that he had handed in his resignation.
Paul Mashatile, 61, the former African National Congress treasurer who is the general leader will take over from him.
Mashatile was elected to the influential post of ANC vice-president in December.
The appointment provides a stepping stone to becoming number 2 for Ramaphosa in the country’s presidential hierarchy.
South Africa’s president is elected by parliament, where the ANC has a majority.
The party – the wife of the decades-long struggle against apartheid – has ruled South Africa since democracy in 1994.
A controversial figure nicknamed “The Cat,” Mabuza is seen as close to former president Jacob Zuma, Ramaphosa’s political rival.
Opponents regularly accuse him of having his own personal “military” allegedly linked to political intimidation and even political assassinations, years ago when he was prime minister in the eastern province of Mpumalanga.
Ramaphosa, who won a second term as ANC leader in December, is expected to announce changes to his governing team after publishing the annual budget next week.