David Mabuza's Office Says He Is Absent From Cabinet Lekgotla Due To Family Reasons

The office of South Africa's Deputy President David Mabuza said that he is absent from the ongoing Cabinet lekgotla due to family bereavement amid speculation that the official will soon lose his post to Paul Masathile, who was recently elected deputy leader of the ruling ANC party.

• The lekgotla is held to chart the government's strategy for the months ahead and will wrap up tomorrow. Local media outlets reported that the energy situation is high on the agenda, but personal changes might also be discussed.
• Speculation re: imminent Cabinet reshuffle has been rife since the ANC's elective conference last month, due to the local convention whereby party roles and government roles tend to overlap.
• Ramaphosa and his aides were hinting that a Cabinet rejig is inbound, but the precise timing remains unclear. One could suspect that it will take place before President Ramaphosa's SONA scheduled for February 9.
• Mabuza's office issued a short statement today, noting that "the Deputy President lost his brother and is engaged with preparations for the funeral."