Paul Mashatile is the vice-president of the ANC.
- The ANC parliamentary caucus has welcomed Paul Mashatile, Maropene Ramokgopa, Sihle Zikalala and Parks Tau as members of Parliament.
- The four will take the oath or affirmations as new deputies in the president’s office at 12:00 p.m. on Monday.
- The caucus also thanked the four MPs who resigned to accommodate the incoming members.
The ANC parliamentary caucus welcomed party deputy chairman Paul Mashatile, second deputy secretary Maropene Ramokgopa and national executive committee members Sihle Zikalala and Parks Tau as members of Parliament.
This paves the way for the president to reshuffle his cabinet in the coming days.
In a letter dated February 5, issued by ANC chief Whip Pemmy Majodina and seen by News24, the ANC parliamentary group thanked four MPs, Tshilidzi Munyai, Mervyn Dirks, Masefako Dikgale and Matshidiso Mfikoe, who resigned to make way for to the new deputies.
“The four members [vacating their positions] They have dedicated their lives to serving the people of South Africa, and the ANC caucus wishes them well in their future endeavors,” Majodina’s letter read.
He added that “the ANC parliamentary caucus looks forward to welcoming the four ANC members who will be sworn in or affirmed as new MPs at the speaker’s office at noon on Monday; the four members are Paul Mashatile, Maropene Ramokgopa, Sihle Zikalala, and Tau Parks”.
READ | The presidency says that Ramaphosa asks Mabuza to stay “until the exit modalities are finalized”
Makhodina also said the ANC caucus was looking to “benefit from his tremendous skills, talent and experiences.”
Ramaphosa is expected to reshuffle his cabinet before Thursday when he delivers his State of the Nation (SONA) address.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, told News24 that while Vice President David Mabuza had indicated he wanted to step down, the president had requested that he remain in his post until the details of his departure were fully worked out. .
“Vice President Mabuza has expressed his desire to step down following the results of the ruling party’s leadership election in December.”
He added that despite such a request being made, “the president has requested that the vice president remain in office until the modalities for his departure and transition are finalized.”
