Deputy president David Mabuza Image: GCIS Deputy President David Mabuza has explained his much-criticised absence from the public at the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year, telling MPs he had to do so for the sake of his own health. Mabuza disclosed this while responding to oral questions from members of the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. He told MPs that not only did he opt to spend a lot of time at his home to protect his own health, but he also did so as part of setting an example during the lockdown because the government was encouraging people to remain indoors.