Johannesburg – The African National Congress has dismissed allegations that senior figures in the party are coordinating efforts to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa from his positions in government and within the organisation. The accusations follow a report published by Sunday World claiming that Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla are linked to an internal push to unseat the president.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said on Sunday the claims were not true and argued that they were intended to destabilise the party at a time when it is dealing with declining electoral support. She said the stories were designed to create divisions and to distract the organisation from its work of renewal and improved governance.
Bhengu added that the ANC remains united behind Ramaphosa and continues to operate under the principles of discipline, democratic centralism and collective leadership.
The ANC Youth League also responded to the allegations through its secretary general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle, who said the rumours of a planned coup were malicious. He said the youth league supports Ramaphosa and described him as an asset to both the party and the country. Ngudle pointed to improvements in governance, accountability and the state of key institutions as evidence of Ramaphosa’s impact.
He made reference to the recovery of South African Airways and progress at Eskom as examples of state owned enterprises showing signs of stability after years of difficulty.
Rumours of internal attempts to remove the president gained attention two weeks ago during an NEC meeting in Germiston. Reports from the meeting suggested Ramaphosa challenged those who were discussing his removal privately and urged them to confront him directly. The ANC has since rejected claims that he made these remarks.
There is speculation that a faction within the party could use the upcoming National General Council to revive the matter. Secretary general Fikile Mbalula has stated the NGC will focus on policy and strategy, although some members argue the party constitution gives the structure authority to consider the president’s position.
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