Even though Mabuza’s office is on record confirming that he had offered to resign from his government position to make way for the newly elected ANC deputy president, Paul Mashatile, to move into the Union Buildings, he remains the deputy for now, until President Cyril Ramaphosa makes an announcement.

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Social media was abuzz last week and speculations were rife that Mabuza had resigned from his position. Mashatile was recently elected the ANC’s deputy president, while Mabuza declined nomination during the party’s elective conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg. One of the national media houses reported last Friday that Mabuza’s spokesperson had said in a statement:

“While it is a fact that there is no pronouncement by the president on any changes to the executive, the deputy president has, within the context of the ANC leadership changes, taken a considered view that it is important to align party leadership roles with government responsibilities.

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“To this end, he has engaged the president on his intention to resign in order to foster leadership synergies and cohesion both in the party and the state.” ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula confirmed that Ramaphosa has not distributed any information about Mabuza’s resignation.

“Mabuza has been one of the most loyal servants of the ANC, and he has served our movement with diligence, dignity, integrity and discipline. If he resigns, he will engage and talk to the president, and the president will engage,” said Mbalula. He said they know Mabuza to be a well-organised and disciplined cadre of the ANC. Attempts to get comment from Mabuza at the time of going to press proved unsuccessful.