President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future hangs in the balance, two weeks before he was meant to seek a second term at the helm of the ANC.
This comes after a parliamentary panel, headed by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, tasked with determining whether he should face an impeachment inquiry, found prima facie evidence that he may have violated the constitution, and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca).
The panel finding has placed SA on an entirely new and uncharted political path.
Ramaphosa was on a clear path to re-election for a second term as ANC president but the recommendation by the panel places a massive gauntlet in his path. He may also not have the appetite to fight the recommendation and likely impeachment inquiry to follow, which could see him resign from office.
Ramaphosa had said this month that he would gladly step aside if charged over Phala Phala — whether he will do so after such a damning finding by the panel was unclear late on Wednesday evening. The ANC’s top brass were locked in a meeting to discuss the panel report — and Ramaphosa’s fate. A meeting of the ANC’s national executive committee is set to take place on Thursday. The national executive committee is likely to hear calls from Ramaphosa’s opponents for him to step aside. They will also have to decide on the position its MPs will adopt when parliament weighs in on the report on December 6.
Ramaphosa’s allies were blindsided by the shocking outcome of the panel’s report, with most scrambling on Wednesday night to make sense of the recommendation.
Should Ramaphosa resign, his deputy David Mabuza is likely to step into his shoes — at least until after the ANC’s elective conference kicking off on December 16. The panel outcome also opens the door for new contenders for the presidency — it was a two horse race between Ramaphosa and former health minister Zweli Mkhize until the panel recommendations were made known. It is likely that the top contender for the deputy president’s post, Paul Mashatile would now contest for the presidency.
All political possibilities for a post-Ramaphosa scenario are on the table after the panel findings based on evidence from former State Security chief Arthur Fraser and ANC splinter parties, the African Transformation Movement and EFF.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.