Mabuza set to be deputy president
ANC deputy president David Mabuza is set to take over as the country’s deputy president after he made himself available, dealing a huge blow to the political ambitions of women candidates who were touted for the post.
This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet the ANC’s alliance partners to brief them on his plans to overhaul his cabinet and appoint a deputy.
Today, the party’s officials were to hold their ordinary meeting at which Ramaphosa was expected to announce his plan to shake up his cabinet and appoint his deputy.
This follows a one-day special sitting of the national executive committee yesterday, where the party’s top brass appointed heads of subcommittees.
Former KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson Senzo Mchunu, who unsuccessfully contested for secretarygeneral, has been appointed the ANC’s national organiser, while Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has been appointed to head the subcommittee on education.
Former ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa has been deployed to the president’s office at Luthuli House.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule dismissed claims that Mchunu’ s appointment as national organiser would result in his powers being cut when he takes the full-time post.
“The SG’s (secretarygeneral’s) powers are very clear in terms of the ANC constitution. There is no way comrade Senzo will come and neutralise the powers of the SG,” Magashule said.
While Ramaphosa was understood to be eyeing NEC member and Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor for the deputy president job ahead of NEC member and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Mabuza declared his availability for the post.
Mabuza, who remains the premier of Mpumalanga, is set to vacate his post once Ramaphosa appoints him.
Magashule said that while Ramaphosa would discuss his decision with the officials and alliance partners, the party’s top brass would not be making a decision on the matter.
“The president will discuss with various structures and alliance partners, but it is not a matter for the NEC.
“There is no need for the president to brief the NEC on any reshuffle,” Magashule said.
Ramaphosa is under pressure from the SACP and Cosatu as well as opposition parties to remove ministers linked to state capture allegations and corruption, including Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen, Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.
Ramaphosa has, however, been keeping his cards close to his chest about the pending cabinet shake-up.
According to Magashule, the NEC also deliberated on Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address and next year’s general elections, in which the ANC is set to face its toughest contest yet.
He said former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki and former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe would be asked to help the party campaign for the 2019 elections.