South African Deputy President David Mabuza on Wednesday declined to be sworn-in as a member of parliament until accusations that he was involved in corruption and other integrity issues when he was a regional premier are resolved.
According to a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, Mabuza requested that his swearing-in be postponed for now, pending the outcome of the ruling African National Congress party’s integrity commission are sorted out.
“The deputy president made the request in light of a report by the ANC Integrity Commission in which he is alleged to have prejudiced the integrity of the ANC and brought the organisation into disrepute,” Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.
He added: “In the meantime he has decided, nevertheless, to follow the dictates of his conscience and postpone his swearing-in as a member of the National Assembly out of respect for the ANC’s institutions and processes.”
The president said that the ANC commended Mabuza for taking this decision and said that he applauded him for putting the interests of the party ahead of his personal interests.
NM/jn/APA