Paul Mashatile, the deputy president of the ANC, arrived at the Parliament building in style as he was about to take the oath of office as a representative for the ruling party this afternoon.
Mashatile clad in suit and tie befitting for a deputy president who is to be sworn in as member of parliament, was seen coming out of a black vehicle while beaming with a smile.The ANC deputy president, also came with his children to witness him being sworn in as a member of parliament.
As he was greeting some members of the media and other ANC comrades outside the parliament, Mashatile said he had come with one of his sons and also his daughter. Other ANC comrades who were sworn in as members of parliament include Sihle Zikalala, who is from the Kwa-Zulu Natal province. Mashatile said he would like to serve people upon his return to the parliament of South Africa.
“Well, we would like to come and serve our people in parliament. I was here before, I spent 25 years in government and then left. So it’s good to be back. I’m sure there is a lot of work to be done,” he said.Paul Mashatile however shied away from commenting on Ramaphosa’s much anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
He said that issue is a prerogative of the president and he is still thinking what must be done.”That’s a prerogative of the president. He is still thinking…he will appoint, now I’m only an MP,” said Paul Mashatile responding to reports that he will soon become deputy president in government to replace David Mabuza.
An independent political analyst says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s perceived reluctance to reshuffle his cabinet is an indication of growing divisions within the ANC.He argues that Cyril Ramaphosa should have by now reshuffled what he calls the “obvious” individuals in his cabinet.