Former ministers Lindiwe Sisulu, Nathi Mthethwa and Maite Nkoane-Mashabane have jumped ship from parliament with immediate effect.
This was confirmed by parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo on Wednesday.
The former ministers were fired from their positions when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a cabinet reshuffle over a week ago.
The resignation of ministers who have been fired from the cabinet has become the norm. It is believed that many do so to save their pension payouts.
These are high on a minister’s salary, but can reduce significantly if one continues to serve as an ordinary MP.
Sisulu was sacked as minister of tourism and replaced with Patricia de Lille, marking her first time out of the executive since 1994.
Mthethwa was removed as arts, sport and culture minister in favour of Zizi Kodwa, while Nkoana-Mashabane was axed and replaced with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
“Parliament confirms the resignations from the National Assembly of Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Mr Nathi Mthethwa as members of parliament,” said Mothapo.
“The resignations are effective immediately. The speaker [of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula] has thanked both [former ministers] for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours.
“Ms Lindiwe Sisulu has also submitted her resignation, with immediate effect, as member of the National Assembly. The speaker has also thanked her for her service and wished her well for the future.”
Mothapo also confirmed the looming resignation of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, whose new job at Luthuli House, the ruling party’s headquarters in Johannesburg, is full-time employment.
“The speaker has also received the resignation of Mr Fikile Mbalula as MP in the National Assembly, effective immediately. This brings to four the number of resignations by former ministers recently.”
The ANC caucus will have to refer back to its party list in parliament to find replacements for the four former ministers.
ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina was not immediately available to say who are the likely replacements.
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