ANC Rejects Calls for Ramaphosa’s Resignation
In the latest political events in South Africa, the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has remained defiant regarding calls for the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the stanching that depicts the party’s commitment to leadership stability as the country faces increased internal and external opposition. The impeachment process followed a protest led by the ANC members that included Carl Niehaus, Supra Mahumapelo, and Des Van Rooyen that called for the impeachment of Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm scandal. Many protesters demanded the ANC to fire Ramaphosa within 48 hours or face continued protesting where they threatened to storm and close major organizations like SABC and the National Prosecutors office.
The Phala Phala Scandal
Ramaphosa whose presidency was once acclaimed due to his deep language and eloquence has been severely battered by the Phala Phala farm scandal where he is accused of hiding information regarding the theft of millions of dollars from his private farm. His opponents have claimed that while Ramaphosa stood for presidency fighting the campaign of no tolerance to corruption, he has not been punctual on the standards he set. However, damning accusations have been made against Ramaphosa and his management of CRona virus but the ANC executive committee has deemed him untouchable as his leadership is deemed important for the party in the forth coming general elections.
Strategic Unity Within the ANC
ANC’s support for Ramaphosa is believed to have been more of a strategy to facilitate a show of unity within the party due to factional and internal power struggle. Other analysts opined that it is the ANC’s congregating around Ramaphosa to prevent further fragmentation that might be injurious to the fortunes of the party in an election. This internal solidarity is useful in the coming election where the ANC is likely to lose Parliament majority and remain in the minority forming coalitions.
Public Dissatisfaction and Broader Issues
It would also like to state that the calls for Ramaphosa to step down are not only as a result of Phala Phala saga. They have also voiced their concern on other general complains like high petrol prices and the constant power outages -load shedding- bady affecting the nation. Because the public has seemed dissatisfied with the government’s responses to these issues, change seems to have intensified at the helm of leadership. The fact that the ANC rejected these demands demonstrated that the organisation is more interested in preserving a set hierarchical power than addressing the requirements that the masses are likely to demand.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
That is why it is still not clear what will happen next as the protesters have set an ultimatum. However, if the ANC remains behind Ramaphosa, this move could stabilise the short-term political situation, but it may come at the expense of the people’s trust. On the other hand, if there is a change of guard because of internal and external pressure, then it can dramatically alter the political equations in South Africa.
Nevertheless, Ramaphosa and his presidency are still in focus today since supported by ANC. It has been an albatross around his neck and the government’s neck and for the opposition and his political rivals in the ruling party it has been a goldmine. The case has therefore stirred a lot of controversy on the direction of the government and the ANC in the near future. It is quite certain that the ANC’s response to this calamity will indeed presage a major political loss of its credibility, let alone its electoral strength.
The Protesters Ultimatum
That is why it is still not clear what will happen next as the protesters have set an ultimatum. However, if the ANC remains behind Ramaphosa, this move could stabilise the short-term political situation, but it may come at the expense of the people’s trust. On the other hand, if there is a change of guard because of internal and external pressure, then it can dramatically alter the political equations in South Africa.
