Johannesburg - Former National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu resigned as African National Congress Member of Parliament on Thursday, the ANC said.
“He resigned his seat as a member of the national assembly today,” said Moloto Mothapo, spokesman in the office of the ANC Chief Whip in Parliament.
“Even though it is unsolicited, we are humbled and grateful for the excellence by which he has served as the speaker of fourth national Parliament.”
Sisulu is the second ANC MP to resign since President Jacob Zuma announced his new Cabinet on Sunday.
Zuma replaced Sisulu with Baleka Mbete.
Former tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk resigned from Parliament on Monday.
Zuma on Sunday shifted Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom into the tourism portfolio, leaving Van Schalkwyk - who has served as a Cabinet minister for the past decade - out in the cold and set to serve as an ordinary ANC MP.
Mothapo thanked Sisulu for his hard work and dedication with which he served South Africa.
“We are grateful for the continued commitment that he continues to show as the stalwart of the ANC in serving the people of South Africa.”
Sisulu's and Van Schalkwyk's future plans remain unknown.
Sapa