DA seeking report on Mabuza's whereabouts

About a month ago, the Presidency confirmed that Mabuza has requested two weeks leave to travel to Russia for a medical consultation.

The party’s Solly Malatsi says the DA want the full report on the cost of his extended stay in Russia.

“We will request that Deputy Speaker Tsenoli seek a full report of the deputy president’s whereabouts, whether the taxpayer is footing the bill, when he plans to return to South Africa and who is filling his shoes in his capacity as Deputy President, the head of government business, chairperson of the special cabinet committee on Eskom and the chair of the inter-ministerial committee on vaccines.

“This report must be tabled and presented to Parliament as a matter of urgency, with an opportunity for members of Parliament to ask questions thereon.

“While the deputy president is entitled to his privacy regarding his medical condition, it is in the public interest to establish the impact of his continued absence from his official duties.”

Malatsi says it is suspicious that there has been no update on his health or his expected return.

“This while he heads two crucial committees on Eskom and the vaccine programme as well as government business. Just a few weeks ago the country suffered through another round of Eskom blackouts, and it is vital that nothing derails our Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

“But the man in charge of it all is missing in action with no word on who is fulfilling his duties or footing the bill for his extended sojourn in Russia.”

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