South Africa is mourning the death of former Deputy President David Mabuza, who passed away at the age of 64, the presidency confirmed on Thursday.
A key political figure within the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Mabuza played a pivotal role in ushering President Cyril Ramaphosa into power.
Mabuza served as deputy president from 2018 until 2023, stepping into the national spotlight after helping Ramaphosa secure a narrow victory in the ANC’s 2017 leadership contest.
His support was instrumental in ending the scandal-marred presidency of Jacob Zuma, paving the way for Ramaphosa to take the helm of both party and state.
In a statement, the presidency paid tribute to Mabuza’s legacy, describing him as “deeply committed to the liberation struggle and to the nation’s development as an inclusive, prosperous, democratic state.”
Details surrounding his cause of death have not been released. However, South Africa’s public broadcaster, the SABC, reported that Mabuza had been unwell for some time and had largely withdrawn from public life in recent months.
Mabuza’s political career was not without controversy. A former schoolteacher and premier of Mpumalanga province, he faced repeated allegations of corruption and political violence—claims he consistently denied.
He came under scrutiny over irregular tenders linked to a 2010 World Cup stadium and accusations of connections to political killings in his province.
In 2015, Mabuza claimed he had been poisoned, likening himself to “The Cat” for surviving what he described as politically motivated attacks. He later sought medical treatment in Russia, a move that sparked speculation and intrigue.
Despite the shadows that occasionally loomed over his career, Mabuza remained a significant figure in post-apartheid South African politics—a behind-the-scenes operator who shaped the country’s leadership at a critical juncture.
