The cat is back – Mpumalanga Premier Mabuza

Mbombela - Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has warned his detractors the time for mice running around the provincial government headquarters spreading rumours that he was insane or dead had ended.

Mabuza became the centre of attention during his triumphant return to his offices at the government complex in Mbombela on Tuesday morning.

Scores of African National Congress (ANC) members, government employees and journalists gathered to welcome him and hear his side of the story.

"Few people appeared saying I am mad. That is serious hatred. Others said 'he is dead' while I am alive.

“What does a rat... do when the cat is not around? The rat does whatever it wants. When they ask where is the cat? They say he's not available. They say the cat is not here. No, the cat is back... Know the cat is back... The mice are going to run," Mabuza said.

He said even young people were saying the "main dog" was not around, which allowed people to play around.

"I heard the [wild animals] were playing everywhere during the day. I do not know. I see a building here and I do not know if people were working," he said.

The premier, who went on leave at the beginning of September after collapsing due to extreme exhaustion, admitted he was airlifted to the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Pretoria, Gauteng, where he spent some time.

"I was welcomed by the doctors and the nurses [there]. One day, as I was sleeping in my bed, I heard people singing, singing nice songs, like these people are close to God. I slept and I said 'I like that song.' In the morning I asked the nurses [about the singing] and they said 'no, it is our culture here'," he said, jokingly.

He thanked the comrades who had had his back while he faced a difficult time as well as President Jacob Zuma and acting premier Vusi Shongwe for their support.

"You media know the cat is back, leave Shongwe, I am ready to respond, but the only thing I won't tell you is what made me sick... I will not tell you," Mabuza said.

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.