Deputy President David Mabuza Confirms Tendering Resignation To Ramaphosa

Deputy President David Mabuza has acknowledged submitting his resignation to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The President, however, has asked Mabuza to remain in his job "until modalities of his departure are finalized."

The confirmation was issued by the Presidency's office on Sunday morning.

"President Ramaphosa has requested him to remain in his role until such time the modalities of his departure and transition have been finalized," Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said, as per Citizen.

Speaking on the sidelines of a family funeral in Mpumalanga on Saturday, Mabuza announced it only made sense for him to relinquish his position as the nation's second-in-command to make 'space' for Paul Mashatile, who was elected ANC deputy president at the party's December conference.

"I am making space for the one elected at the conference because I can see he (Mashatile) is also making a few moves. So now I am also in a rush to give them space. I spoke to the president and told him I would step down," said Mabuza, as per CGTN.

Following Mashatile's election at the ANC national conference in December, rumors of a possible cabinet upheaval quickly spread. According to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, the ANC prefers to match its political leaders with government deployments.

For the last few weeks, Mabuza had stayed away from ANC and government functions. He did not attend the ANC National Executive Committee lekgotla and the Jan. 8 celebrations in Bloemfontein.

Mabuza publicly announced his intention to step down as deputy president following a string of political developments that saw Mashatile officially recognized as an ANC member of Parliament.

Tshilidzi Munyai, Mervyn Dirks, Masefako Dikgale, and Matshidiso Mfikoe submitted their resignations from the House of Representatives last week.

New members would be sworn in at the speaker's office on Monday, according to the ANC's parliamentary caucus. Paul Mashatile is one of the members who will be taking oaths as new MPs.

Mashatile was nominated to replace Munyai, who resigned last week. The remaining three seats would be filled by Maropene Ramokgopa, Sihle Zikalala, and Parks Tau.