Deputy President of South Africa Resigns
Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s vice president, David Mabuza, will resign ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle.
In his address to the Cape Town parliament, Ramaphosa stated that Mabuza “has indicated his desire to resign.”
He thanked Mabuza, 62, for his “unwavering support” over the past five years, stating that the two had worked “side-by-side.”
Long anticipated, Mabuza announced earlier this month at his brother’s funeral that he had submitted his resignation.
Former African National Congress treasurer Paul Mashatile, 61, is widely expected to succeed him.
In December, Mashatile was elected to the influential position of ANC vice president.
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This appointment positions him to become Ramaphosa’s deputy in the state’s presidential hierarchy.
The president of South Africa is selected by the parliament, where the ANC holds a majority.
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, the party — the vanguard of the decades-long struggle against apartheid — has ruled South Africa.
Mabuza, a controversial figure with the moniker “The Cat,” was perceived to be close to former president Jacob Zuma, a political opponent of Ramaphosa.
Many years ago, when he was premier of the eastern province of Mpumalanga, he was routinely accused by his opponents of possessing a private “military” allegedly involved in political intimidation and even political murder.
Ramaphosa, who won a second term as ANC president in December, is expected to announce changes to his government team following the release of the annual budget the following week.
