No confirmation on Motlanthe deployment

The Presidency on Tuesday could not confirm reports that African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe would be deployed to the Cabinet within days.

“I don’t know ... I have not been advised on anything,” said presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.

He said President Thabo Mbeki made appointments to the Cabinet at his discretion and this was thereafter communicated to him, but he had not been advised on any decision regarding Motlanthe.

On Tuesday, Business Day reported that Motlanthe would be placed in government “within days” to allow him to “shadow” Mbeki as the president served the remainder of his term.

The report quoted a senior NEC member saying Motlanthe would be “like a minister of state in the Presidency”, with an “overarching” look at the government.

ANC spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso declined to comment on the report but confirmed that the government and the ruling party had been in discussions regarding the party deputy president’s deployment.

He also said there was “no finality” yet on where in government Motlanthe would be deployed.—Sapa