Most political parties yesterday applauded the appointment of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, but warned that the investigation into the Oilgate funding allegations could haunt her.

And there was a sense of loss in the mining industry over her promotion.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said although the appointment of Mlambo-Ngcuka was bold and gender-friendly, it undermined the “good work” President Thabo Mbeki did last week when he dismissed former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

The DA said the Oilgate scandal involved PetroSA, which fell directly in her responsibilities as minerals and energy minister.

The party said it was of “deep significance” that Mlambo-Ngcuka was married to former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, who found that there was a prima facie case of corruption against Zuma in 2003.

“The fact that Zuma has now been replaced by Mlambo-Ngcuka because of this same corruption case could cause the impression that Ngcuka and the president might well have had an agenda outside of strictly legal concerns,” leader of the DA Tony Leon said.

Mlambo-Ngcuka had worked hard to introduce steps towards the liberalising the petroleum industry, but the implementation of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act had exposed government to billions of rand in possible international lawsuits, Leon said.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said Mlambo-Ngcuka should brace herself for attacks over Oilgate, but he did not doubt that she had the skills to be deputy president.

The Freedom Front Plus said it had submitted a complaint to the public protector and the National Prosecuting Authority about Oilgate. “Mlambo-Ngcuka was the minister responsible for this industry. A negative finding on these issues could once again cast a shadow over the office of the deputy president,” said party leader Pieter Mulder .

Chamber of Mines president Con Fauconnier said: “We are sad we are losing her.”

Gold Fields CE Ian Cockerill said Mlambo-Ngcuka’s promotion was “a recognition of the work she has done”.

The chairwoman of the Mining Development Association, Bridgette Radebe, said: “This is a great victory for the advancement of women.”

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) welcomed her appointment.

“We are, however, concerned that she’s been thrown into a lion’s den, given the controversies surrounding the office of the deputy president at this juncture,” said NUM general secretary Gwede Mantashe.

“We therefore hope that she is not compromised as a result. We trust that her experience of overcoming challenges in her past portfolio will come to the fore.”

With acknowledgements to Ernest Mabuza, John Fraser and the Business Day.