Nomvula Mokonyane withdraws as ANC MP

Former environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane will not be returning to parliament.

Business Day has been reliably informed that Mokonyane has withdrawn from the list of ANC MPs.

This was after a special ANC national executive committee meeting earlier this week nominated her for the post of chair responsible for portfolio committees, or “chair or chairs” in the national assembly. This was a sign that Mokonyane would not be getting a post in President Cyril Ramaphosa's cabinet.

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The ANC later confirmed that it received a request from Mokonyane to reconsider her deployment to parliament.

“Comrade Nomvula 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,” ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule said. 

Mokonyane's husband, Serge Mokonyane, died in April. Magashule said the party would decide in due course who would replace Mokonyane as chair of chairs.

She is one of the ANC leaders implicated in allegations of state capture, with former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi accusing her of taking bribes.

ANC deputy president David Mabuza had earlier requested that his swearing-in be postponed.

quintalg@businesslive.co.za