'Desperate individuals' behind reports of conspiracy to remove Ramaphosa, say ANC NEC members

ANC NEC members and deputy ministers Mondli Gungubele and Dr. Joe Phaahla have distanced themselves from the alleged plot to overthrow ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Both members issued separate statements on Monday evening in response to reports of an alleged plot by some "disgruntled" ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members to remove Ramaphosa, just days before the party's National General Council (NGC) meeting. 

The NGC is scheduled for next Monday, December 8-12, at the Birchwood Hotel.

Three key ANC structures —the Youth, Women's, and Veterans' Leagues — each released statements publicly backing Ramaphosa's leadership amid the circulating rumours of his removal.

Gungubele dismissed the allegations on his X account, stating: "A suggestion that I am part of a movement to remove the current president of the ANC needs the best possible psychiatric assessment. Because it must be part of sickness to assert falsehood at all costs."

Phaahla issued a detailed statement, branding the reports of his involvement as "baseless" and "absurd."

"I regard the claims that I am plotting to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa as utter rubbish and pure hogwash. In fact, I lack adjectives to adequately describe their absurdity. These fabrications are the work of desperate individuals, attempting to drive a wedge between me, as an ANC NEC member and lifelong activist of the African National Congress for nearly five decades, and my president."

Addressing the succession debate during the NGC state-of-readiness briefing, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the upcoming meeting will not focus on leadership struggles.

He said that the party will not allow itself to be distracted by succession debates while facing an "existential crisis".

Instead, the party's focus is on hosting a successful NGC, with the leadership discussion only scheduled for the 2027 elective conference.

"We are closing ranks with all our members. These are stories that are planted deliberately by forces within and outside our movement, who are hellbent on disintegrating the ANC. These forces are not sleeping. They are working overtime to disintegrate the ANC," Mbalula concluded.

Cape Times