Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as South Africa’s president on Saturday in a ceremony in the capital. But the people of South Africa will have to wait a bit longer to know who the new ministers and deputy ministers will be.
The presidency released a statement on Sunday dismissing media reports that the Cabinet announcement will be made on Monday, 27 May. It confirmed that Ramaphosa will announce the members of the new executive later in the week. It did not give a certain date for the announcement.
“The Constitution of the Republic stipulates that the President must assume office within five days of being elected by the National Assembly – and thereafter appoint a Cabinet and assign its powers and functions,” the statement read. “President Cyril Ramaphosa is emphatic that the new executive must possess requisite skills, experience, representativity and a commitment to the public services that will take the work of the 6th administration forward.”
While the reason for the postponement remains unclear, it is assumed that the postponement was to allow for the swearing in of ANC deputy president David Mabuza.
According to The Sunday Times, Mabuza on Friday approached the ANC’s integrity commission to clear his name. He said he wants to clear his name before assuming his position as an MP.
The commission has previously flagged several ANC leaders, including deputy president David Mabuza, chairperson Gwede Mantashe, and others, as tainted and having brought the party into disrepute.
Mabuza had postponed his swearing in as a member of parliament on Wednesday following allegations that he had brought the party into disrepute. He appeared before ANC’s integrity commission on Friday to plead his case.
Integrity committee chairperson, George Mashamba, said the commission is likely to compile its report and send it to the ANC’s top six by Tuesday.
