Mashatile joins ANC caucus before expected move to Union Buildings

ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile has joined the party's parliamentary caucus, but has remained silent about becoming South Africa's deputy president.

Mashatile was one of four new ANC MPs, with former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, former deputy minister Parks Tau and newly elected ANC deputy secretary-general Maropene Ramokgopa, who were sworn in on Monday.

“We are deployed here by the ANC to implement the manifesto of the ANC. We are joining a team of comrades who have already been here. So we are going to work with them to ensure we serve our people,” said Mashatile.

He downplayed his expected move to the Union Buildings, saying he will wait for ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina to assign him and the other new MPs to their responsibilities in parliament.

“We will be briefed by the chief whip on what our responsibilities are going to be as MPs and we will serve with dignity and respect whatever task we are given.”

“The president is busy with the mining indaba. The president is preparing for Sona. Let’s allow the president to finish Sona, then maybe after Sona the president will be able to give us a new programme of what is going to happen in the cabinet,” said Majodina.

“There is nothing written in black and white that the deputy president of the ANC automatically becomes deputy [president] of the country. It’s just that you media, you are used to what has been happening, but there is no written law about [it],” said Majodina.

“I am in touch with Mabuza. I’ve met him several times. We are waiting for the president to give a nod or not.

“The deputy president said he thinks he has served government but also wants to open up for a new deputy president who has been elected by [the ANC] conference, so he doesn’t want to continue serving. He thinks he has played his role.”

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