Six days after dramatically postponing his swearing-in ceremony as an MP, it looks as if David Mabuza will be returning to Parliament where he left off. Cyril Ramaphosa is currently without a deputy president – or a cabinet, for that matter – after delaying his announcement on who will serve alongside him.

David Mabuza – latest news:

However, it’s likely that the president’s mind has been made up for him: According to multiple reports, the ANC Integrity Commission has given Mabuza the green light to resume Parliamentary duties and his swearing-in ceremony will take place later on Tuesday.

DD will officially return as an MP once the ceremony is complete, putting him in pole position to return as Cyril’s right-hand man. It’s understood proceedings will take place in Pretoria, rather than Parliament in Cape Town.

Candidates for the deputy presidency

The news comes as a blow for those vying to replace David Mabuza, with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma leading the charge to unseat the most-recent deputy president. She has openly claimed that she would serve as DP during the elections, but it seems as if Mabuza has thrown a spanner in those particular works.

Naledi Pandor was also touted as a potential candidate – during the 2017 ANC leadership campaign, the higher education minister was on Ramaphosa’s slate. But she lost out to David Mabuza, who was largely backed by the pro-Jacob Zuma faction: The spectre of Msholozi still looms large over the governing party.

David Mabuza done, but when will we learn about the cabinet?

This decision also means that we’re getting closer to an official announcement on Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet for the sixth term of Parliament. Due to announce it shortly after his inauguration on Saturday, the big reveal was pushed back to “later in the week”.

Undoubtedly, Cyril was pinning his hopes on a quick decision from the Integrity Commission. Although it’s yet to be confirmed, his cabinet picks could be announced after DD’s swearing-in ceremony. With the controversial Mabuza seemingly in the clear, we may already know who’s filling the biggest vacancy of them all.

(Source: The South African)