South Africa MPs confirm election of president Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa elected president

South Africa’s parliament on Wednesday confirmed the ANC’s Cyril Ramaphosa as the duly elected president of the country, after his nomination was uncontested by other political parties.

Ramaphosa, who is also the leader of the ANC, was expected to be retained as president by the 400 lawmakers in parliament’s National Assembly lower house, where his party holds the majority. He will be inaugurated on Saturday.

Parliament speakers elected

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) nominee for the position of parliament speaker, Thandi Modise was on Wednesday confirmed in the position after she garnered 250 votes against the opposition Democratic Alliance’s nominee, Richard Majola.

Modise urged her fellow lawmakers to respect the voices of the South Africans they represent, and be ‘fair at all times’.

The ANC nominee for deputy speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli was unopposed and consequently confirmed into the role.

South African MPs sworn-in

While South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa was among the first members of parliament to be sworn in on Wednesday, he issued a statement saying his deputy David Mabuza, will not be sworn in as a lawmaker having requested a postponement to address allegations he brought the ruling African National Congress (ANC) into disrepute.

Ramaphosa, who is also the leader of the ANC, is due to be elected on Wednesday by the 400 lawmakers in parliament’s National Assembly and lower house, where his party holds the majority. He will be inaugurated on Saturday.

The ANC easily won South Africa’s May 8 general election but its share of the vote fell, reflecting anger at corruption scandals and racial inequalities that remain entrenched a generation after the party took power.

Mabuza, the former premier of Mpumalanga, a coal-producing northeastern province, has struggled to shrug off longstanding allegations of corruption there. A report by the ANC’s Integrity Commission suggested he had brought the party into disrepute.

“The deputy president has indicated he would like to have an opportunity to address… these allegations,” said Ramaphosa in an ANC statement.

“The deputy president believes that the ANC as a governing party should advance the electoral mandate in an environment of public trust.”

Mabuza played a key role in ensuring Ramaphosa was elected in a tight contest to take over from scandal-plagued predecessor Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s election conference in December 2017.

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REUTERS