President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to have successfully navigated a period of intense internal speculation and factional maneuvering within the ANC, emerging from this week’s National General Council (NGC) meeting with his position firmly secured. 

Despite persistent rumors of a plot to unseat Ramaphosa, the meeting—which concluded on Thursday at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg—resulted in what appears to be a clear endorsement of his leadership until the next elective conference in 2027.

The lead-up to the NGC was dominated by reports, most notably suggesting that internal factions were seeking to use the gathering as a platform for a “coup plot” against Ramaphosa.

The rumours even suggested former president Thabo Mbeki could be installed as a caretaker.

A senior ANC member speaking on condition of anonymity said the NGC had its fair share of secret meetings but were never serious as none of the rumours for Ramaphosa’s removal were discussed at the official gathering.

“As ANC officials there will always be talks on the sidelines of any conference…whether those secret talks amount to anything remains to be seen…We had no talks of removing the president during the NGC.

“So it just remains a rumour and hearsay,” the source said.

The rumours were decisively quelled by senior party figures before and after the NGC. 

Deputy president Paul Mashatile provided a denial just days before the NGC saying that Ramaphosa was going nowhere. 

“He will stay until he finishes his term. So that’s our position,” Mashatile initially said.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula did not answer his phone on Thursday however he had echoed Mashatile’s sentiment, dismissing the speculation as a distraction.

“These are stories planted by forces from within and outside who are hell-bent on disintegrating the ANC,” Mbalula had said.

The NGC, he reminded members, is a policy review body, not an electoral one.

Further approving Ramaphosa’s position were strong statements of support from the party’s key leagues.

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL)  was quick to reject the reports. 

“We reject with contempt the baseless claims that there are any plans to recall President Cyril Ramaphosa,” the ANCYL said.

The Veterans League also issued a condemnation of the “destabilising” claims.

Although the factional reports—which named deputy minister of Communication Mondli Gungubele and deputy minister of Health Joe Phaahla as key drivers showed discontent within the party. Both Phaahla and Gungubele publicly refuted the rumours.

Phaahla and Gungubele are said to have been bitter because they had been demoted at the end of last year’s elections.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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