Durban - There is no clear option of who should take over from President Cyril Ramaphosa should he resign. This was the sentiment shared by political analysts as the president’s future hangs in the balance after a report found against him in the Phala Phala missing millions saga.
Ramaphosa has spent the past few days “consulting” on his next move after a Section 89 independent panel, chaired by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, found that he may have violated the Constitution by not reporting a robbery of millions of US dollars that took place at his private game farm, Phala Phala, to the police.
The release of the report has put pressure on Ramaphosa to resign. Should he resign but win the leadership battle at the ANC elective conference, a president who has resigned can only be re-appointed after he/she sits out one general election, according to the Constitution. In this case, it would mean him missing the 2024 general election.
Analysts stressed that South Africa might face a leadership deficit under the ANC due to factionalism, fraud and corruption that has compromised the integrity of its leaders. Political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu believed Ramaphosa was ready to resign, but believed that those in his corner had convinced him not to do so.
He said it was unclear who would be likely to take over should Ramaphosa resign because the ANC’s 55th elective conference was set to take place in two weeks’ time. Appointing any ANC members running for party presidency at the conference would be risky. Analyst Thabani Khumalo said constitutionally, Deputy President David Mabuza was the second-in-command and would be expected to take over.
But he said Ramaphosa would not step down, considering that it was just two weeks before the ANC conference. He said resigning would be political suicide for Ramaphosa. “I foresee him taking the report on review and hanging on to power until the conference,” said Khumalo.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE