Ramaphosa thanks Mabuza for 'unwavering support' as deputy
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is attending to David Mabuza's wish to resign as deputy president.
Mabuza will vacate his office at the Union Buildings after five years as Ramaphosa's second-in-command.
Ramaphosa addressed Mabuza's departure on Thursday afternoon during his reply to the debate on his State of the Nation Address.
Mabuza announced his intention to step down as deputy president two weeks ago.
He is making way for Paul Mashatile, who was elected the ANC deputy president during the party's national conference in December.
Mashatile has already been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
Ramaphosa is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle soon.
The president told MPs that Mabuza showed "unwavering" support over the last five years.
"He has ably led the South African National AIDS Council and extensive engagements with military veterans and traditional leaders. He has supported peace-building efforts in South Sudan and led processes around land reform, among other things.
"Deputy President Mabuza has indicated his wish to step down from his position, a request that we are attending to."
Ramaphosa used the time to also thank his ministers and deputies, some of whom might be out in the cold after the reshuffle.
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