President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday formalized the resignation of South African Vice President David Mabuza at the latter’s request.
The announcement was made at Parliament House during a ceremony on the sidelines of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate.
The request was made after a new leader was elected as deputy chairperson of the main ruling African National Congress (ANC). It is former Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile.
According to the ANC’s political tradition, this election gives Paul Mashatile the right to become deputy president of the state.
The same applies to Ramaphosa, who was re-elected as party leader, giving him the opportunity to hang up a second term as president, should he win the general election.
After the ANC elections, South Africans expect a change of government. Observers say the announcement could come after the government’s annual budget is presented next week.
Ramaphosa has already signaled his intention to appoint a new energy minister to address South Africa’s energy crisis.