Pretoria - President Cyril Ramaphosa’s predecessors have broken the ANC’s norm by publicly assaulting his presidency and leadership, in what appears to be a sign that the tide may have turned against the embattled leader.
Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki laid into the incumbent over a litany of issues, with the former accusing Ramaphosa of corruption, treason and selling the constitution to “greedy friends”.
The latter took a dim view of the Phala Phala farm scandal, adding the governing party was led by criminals. Both former ANC leaders spoke harshly of Ramaphosa during two separate events in Joburg on Saturday.
It is not clear what triggered the assault on Ramaphosa’s leadership by the two former ANC leaders, but they are believed to be disappointed with his handling of the farmgate scandal and other service delivery issues.
Dr John Molepo, a political analyst at the University of Mpumalanga, yesterday said Ramaphosa’s political ship is starting to sink and he must start reflecting on the views raised by Mbeki and Zuma.
“People are starting to define themselves outside him. People lost confidence in him. He is left with his loyalists and even some are starting to denounce him. The political ship is starting to sink. He must rework the ground with immediate effect.”
He, however, said the comments by the duo were made in the context of the party's upcoming elective conference.
“No one is perfect and I think Ramaphosa should now be able to reflect on the attacks and work on dealing with those issues and I hope it's not too late. I also think this is because the conference is looming and an opportunity to persuade society to unravel against Ramaphosa is now.
Zuma openly mobilised against Ramaphosa while addressing a media briefing hosted by his foundation in Sandton. Ramaphosa is seeking re-election for a second term as president of the party. ANC national executive committee (NEC) members, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Zweli Mkhize and Lindiwe Sisulu are among his challengers. Without mentioning him by name, Zuma accused Ramaphosa of being “corrupt” and of “using money” in exchange for leadership positions.
“I remain resolute that we need to mobilise against the leaders who have sold our Constitution to their greedy friends. We need to ensure that we speak out when crimes are committed by the highest political authorities. It is interesting to observe the silence against the many allegations of criminality against the current president (Ramaphosa).
“He (Ramaphosa) has suspended the head of a Chapter 9 institution while she is investigating him and there is total silence. Instead, the courts are defending the lack of accountability,” he said.
Zuma was referring to the suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane after she sent Ramaphosa questions. Ramaphosa is accused of concealing a crime after he was robbed of millions of rand that he had kept illegally at his farm house.
“There is complete silence by the media about the Phala Phala allegations. This was not the case when allegations were made about the security upgrades at my home in Nkandla. I often wonder what the situation would have been if I was the one accused of having millions of dollars hidden under mattresses.”
Zuma also spoke out against Ramaphosa conducting private business while he was a sitting president, calling it “corrupt” and “treasonous”.
“It is inconsistent with the oath of office taken by the president and those who defend such deeds, both in the executive and the legislature, commit treason against our Constitution. Suffice to say that your president has committed treason. No president should conduct private business while in office.
“Our country’s problems are too big for a president who is busy hustling on the side. To add insult to injury the Western Cape High Court has found that the president went further and suspended the public protector for the sole purpose of covering up his Phala Phala corruption. Your president is corrupt,” exclaimed Zuma.
He added that ANC members should be careful of being bought with money.
“Some of those who have been accused, charged, killed other comrades and those who use money in exchange for positions are found in the main leadership levels.
“I warned and will continue to do so that these infiltrators and fake revolutionaries would be rewarded for committing clear crimes and exonerated by an unrelenting wave of media propaganda for sabotaging the historic mission of our organisation. We are witnesses of this today. We have seen 30 pieces of silver with our own eyes.”
Addressing the Strategic Dialogue forum in Joburg, Mbeki said the ANC had to decide what would happen if a parliamentary process found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding the Phala Phala scandal.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appointed the Section 89 inquiry panel after a motion by ATM leader Vuyolwethu Zungula for Ramaphosa’s removal on the grounds of “a serious violation of the Constitution or the law and serious misconduct”. The panel had 30 days to complete its work that began last week Wednesday.
Mbeki asserted that ANC top leaders should meet to discuss the future of Ramaphosa if the panel found that he had a case to answer. Mbeki added that the party was being led by criminals.
He said: “You have to have the courage to face a renewed ANC led by criminals. When you talk about renewal of the ANC, you’re carrying too much baggage of wrong people.
“Our president is under a lot of pressure. I am talking about President Ramaphosa… around this matter of Phala Phala farm… there are criminal investigations going on.”
According to Mbeki the party needed to make sure it chose the right leaders in December.
“There are comrades in the NEC who don’t qualify to be in the NEC, much less in government but want to be elected… The country is watching.
“What kind of leadership is going to emerge? There are many comrades saying if I am nominated I am available please elect me. And not one explains why they must be elected? We have to look at the track records of these comrades who are standing,” Mbeki said.
Pretoria News