South African Deputy President David Mabuza tendered his resignation to parliament ahead of Cyril Ramaphosa’s anticipated cabinet reshuffle.

Mabuza sent a letter to parliament on Tuesday confirming that he’s stepping down, the governing African National Congress’s chief whip in parliament, Pemmy Majodina, said by text message on Wednesday.

Mabuza had written to Ramaphosa in early January offering to resign to make way for the party’s newly elected deputy leader, Paul Mashatile, to become the nation’s deputy president.

Ramaphosa said he needs time before making a final decision about who to appoint as his deputy. Mabuza’s resignation may now compel Ramaphosa to make changes to the executive.

The vacant position of minister of public service and administration and the new position of electricity minister are among the positions that need to be filled. The president is also expected to name a new transport minister after the incumbent, Fikile Mbalula, was appointed to the full-time position of ANC secretary-general.

Ramaphosa will make an announcement “in due course” about the appointment of a new deputy president, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.

The Presidency wishes to advise that Deputy President David Mabuza has resigned as a Member of Parliament, ending his term as Deputy President of the country.

This follows his request to President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down from the position of Deputy President, which the President announced in his reply to the State of the Nation Address on 16 February 2023.

On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa has extended gratitude and appreciation to Deputy President Mabuza for his exceptional service to the country over the last five years.

“The Deputy President has undertaken the responsibilities of his office with dedication. I am grateful for the support he has provided to me throughout his term and for the leadership he has provided to the work of Government,” President Ramaphosa said.

“His contribution has been valued by the many constituencies with which he has engaged, including Traditional Leaders, Military Veterans, civil society formations and international bodies. As Leader of Government Business, he has ably managed the relationship between the Executive and Parliament, working to ensure that the transformative legislative programme of this Administration is advanced,” he said.

President Ramaphosa will make an announcement in due course about the appointment of a new Deputy President.