Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma, the custodian of the country’s foreign policy, has not deployed Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to any international engagements this year.
According to the Sunday Independent newspaper, this could be construed as a sign that the relationship between Zuma and Motlanthe is indeed icy.
It is widely believed that the relationship between the two became frosty after Motlanthe indicated he would challenge Zuma for the party presidency.
In terms of the Constitution, the deputy president is appointed to assist the president and his duties are at the discretion of the president.
Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni said it was to be expected that Motlanthye would not be entrusted with sensitive programmes after he challenged Zuma for the country’s highest office.
Fikeni said that reducing Motlanthe’s responsibilities was a signal that a way was being paved for the next deputy president.