For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines:

South Africa's leaders sworn in as MPs, Dlamini-Zuma and Pandor tipped to become deputy president and, Mokonyane withdraws from Parliament

 

South Africa's leaders sworn in as MPs

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially been sworn in as a member of the South African Parliament.

Ramaphosa and several members of his current cabinet, including Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Gwede Mantashe, Lindiwe Sisulu, Pravin Gordhan, Zweli Mkhize, Naledi Pandor and Bheki Cele, were the first to be called on.

They swore to "obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic".

After lunch, ANC MP Thandi Modise went up against DA MP Thembekile Majola in a secret vote to determine the new Speaker of the National Assembly.

 

Dlamini-Zuma and Pandor tipped to become deputy president

President Cyril Ramaphosa may elevate his former foe, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to the position of deputy president of the country after David Mabuza's withdrawal from the swearing-in of members of Parliament.

Mabuza shocked the ANC on Wednesday morning when he announced he would not be sworn in as an MP before clearing his name before the party’s integrity commission.

Ramaphosa is likely to appoint a woman as his deputy when he announces his Cabinet after the presidential inauguration on Saturday.

 

Mokonyane withdraws from Parliament

The ANC on Wednesday confirmed that Nomvula Mokonyane would not be returning to Parliament.  

In a statement from ANC secretary general Ace Magashule, he agreed to the former minister's request that the party reconsider her deployment to Parliament as an MP. 

Mokonyane has since advised the ANC that due to family responsibilities and her being in mourning currently, she believes she would be unable to diligently and with commitment, fulfil her duties at this stage.

The ANC will in due course redetermine the deployment of a replacement to the position of house chairperson.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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