Mabuza defends NDZ: Dlamini-Zuma ‘just doing her job’
Deputy President David Mabuza has defended Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma amid allegations that she is usurping the power of the state.
Dlamini-Zuma has been dragged to court by several organisations unhappy with the lockdown regulations, especially the ban on tobacco sales.
This has led to fierce criticism from several quarters, with some saying she is making decisions by herself.
Some have even dubbed her as the country’s “de-facto prime minister”.
But Mabuza moved to defend Dlamini-Zuma during an oral question session in the National Assembly on Thursday.
Mabuza denied that Dlamini-Zuma played the role of prime minister.
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“We’ve (the cabinet) not abdicated that responsibility. And it would be incorrect to say that Minister Dlamini-Zuma is now prime minister," Mabuza said. "It’s because of her role as Cogta minister – Cogta is the one that administers the acts under which we have declared our national disaster.
"And therefore the minister has been given the role - together with other ministers - to sit down and work on regulations every time we make a movement from one level of our disaster management to another level.
"So minister Dlamini-Zuma is just doing her job, like any other minister. We don't take it that the president is no longer a president."