African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Paul Mashatile has refused to answer any questions about his future, reiterating that David Mabuza remains second in command of the country.

Hours after being sworn in as an MP, Mashatile spoke to journalists in Parliament, but was not forthcoming about when he would take over the reins from Mabuza, who has already publicly indicated that he has resigned as deputy president.

Mashatile, former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, former Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau, and ANC second deputy secretary-general Maropene Ramokgopa were sworn in on Monday.

Mashatile said, "for now", he was happy to serve as an MP.

Asked if he was ready to take up the position of deputy president, Mashatile said: "I have been deployed to Parliament. I am the deputy president of the ANC, and the deputy president of the country is the prerogative of the president. He should decide that. For now, I am happy to serve here as MP. It's good to be back here."

He served as an MP from 2010 until 2016 when he was recalled to Gauteng, where he served as MEC of human settlement under David Makhura. 

Mashatile also said that there had been no briefing to the ANC’s top seven about a possible Cabinet reshuffle.

"Nothing as yet," he said.

He added that there was no particular portfolio he would want to serve in as MP.

When pressed on the deputy president matter, he said, Mabuza was the deputy president as far as he knew.

"I don’t know. I have not seen him. The last time I saw, he was the DP (deputy president) of the Republic."

Mashatile laughed when News24 asked him if he wanted to be appointed deputy president before or after the State of The Nation Address.

Ramaphosa is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet before Thursday when he delivers his address.

On Sunday, his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told News24 that, while Mabuza had indicated that he wanted to step down from his duties, the president had requested that he remain in his position until details of his departure were fully ironed out.