Mpumalanga premier's fitness for office to be debated

The Mpumalanga legislature will debate Premier David Mabuza's fitness for office on Tuesday.

The Premier has been on indefinite sick leave since collapsing from exhaustion on September 8.

The debate was originally set for October 29, following a motion by EFF provincial leader Collen Sedibe last month, but was postponed.

"The sitting will now take place on November 10," said legislature spokesperson Zama Memela-Gamede.

ANC provincial secretary Lucky Ndinisa said party officials recently visited Mabuza at his home in Barberton and were satisfied with his recovery process.

Ndinisa rejected speculation that Mabuza was being kept in intensive care at a private hospital in Gauteng.

"The social media rumours are totally untrue. Now, as we speak, we visited him at his residence, not in hospital. He is in good health and will return to work... soon. All the people in the province must rest assured that the premier is well," Ndinisa said.

Provincial leader of the DA, James Masango, said it was an "insult" to the people of Mpumalanga when Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe was re-sworn in as acting premier last week.

"The time has come for the ANC to show decisive leadership and, instead of burdening the province with an acting premier, they must stand up and support the opposition parties' call for the appointment of a new premier," he said.

Source News 24