Fikile Mbalula Affirms Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidency Amid Internal Party Calls for His Removal
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has firmly dismissed any notion of President Cyril Ramaphosa stepping down from his role as head of the party
This statement was made during a media briefing at the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) results operating centre on Sunday.
ANC Rejects Calls for Cyril Ramaphosa’s Ouster
The ANC secured only 40% of the vote in last Wednesday’s general elections. This significant decline in support was partly due to the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, which won a surprising 15% of the national vote.
Zuma’s MK Party has explicitly stated it will not enter into any coalition with an ANC led by Ramaphosa. This has led some members of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to push for Ramaphosa’s removal, believing it necessary to form a coalition with the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Addressing the media, Fikile Mbalula dismissed any discussions of President Cyril Ramaphosa stepping down, despite some party members calling for his removal.
“Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC. If you come to us with a demand that Ramaphosa must stand down as president, that is not going to happen… No political party will dictate terms like that to the ANC. That is a no-go area,” Mbalula declared, emphasizing Ramaphosa’s integral role in the party’s leadership.
[WATCH] "That is a no-go area," ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the party will not compromise President Cyril Ramaphosa for any coalition partner. "It is never going to happen."#Newzroom405 #BeyondTheBallot pic.twitter.com/plbm6Se0VV
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 2, 2024
Coalition Negotiations Begin Amid Electoral Setback
Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to participate in the IEC’s formal ceremony to officially announce the election results. This event will trigger a 14-day period for parties to negotiate coalitions to form a government, as stipulated by the constitution.
According to TimesLive, Fikile Mbalula confirmed that the ANC is open to discussions with other political parties to form a new government. He has been authorized to lead a team to initiate preliminary talks with parties interested in entering into coalition negotiations with the ANC.
The ANC is exploring four potential strategies: forming a government of national unity, a grand coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA), establishing a minority government, or calling for a re-run of the elections.
On the other hand, another group, aligned with ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, is reportedly advocating for a coalition with leftist parties, including the EFF and the MK Party, and possibly the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). A smaller faction is pushing for the ANC to transition to opposition status.
The ANC is currently divided on which path to pursue.