South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked his deputy David Mabuza, who announced his intention to resign from his position, to stay on for a little longer.
According to the local eNCA news outlet, Ramaphosa wants to wait until transition processes are finalized before a new deputy president can take office.
Mabuza confirmed his intention to resign on Saturday at a family funeral in Mpumalanga, telling congregants that he had informed the president of his decision.
“I am making space for the one elected at the conference because I can see he (Paul 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,” he said.
Mashatile was elected second-in-command during the ruling ANC party’s 55th national elective conference held in December 2022.
Mabuza, turned down a shot at a second term and also lost out on a seat in the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC.
According to the eNCA report, Mabuza has in recent weeks been absent from government and political ANC gatherings.
He was not present at the ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Bloemfontein, nor was he present at an ANC national executive committee lekgotla.
