'You did him dirty': Mantashe blasts Mpumalanga factions for misleading Mabuza into presidential bid

ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe has publicly condemned internal party factions in Mpumalanga for manipulating the late former deputy president David Mabuza into launching a misguided presidential bid at the ANC’s last elective conference.

Speaking at Mabuza’s memorial service on Thursday, Mantashe accused local ANC branches of playing a double game — encouraging Mabuza to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the top job, while party leadership was actively trying to persuade him to stay on as deputy president.

“You misled DD yourselves — including people from right here in Mpumalanga,” Mantashe declared.

“You told him to contest for the presidency and that Paul [Mashatile] should be his deputy. You led him off track. We begged him to stay on as deputy, but you had already convinced him otherwise. You did him dirty.”

Mantashe’s remarks followed criticism from a SANTACO representative who accused him of not backing Mabuza’s second-term ambitions.

Mabuza died last Thursday in a Sandton hospital in Johannesburg due to breathing complications, the family confirmed. He served as deputy president from 2018 to 2023.

A Category 2 State Funeral will be held for him in his hometown of Barberton on Saturday, where Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy.

In response, Mantashe made it clear: the leadership supported Mabuza’s continued role as deputy, but internal factionalism pushed him into a losing political gamble.

Mabuza had played a crucial role alongside Mantashe and Paul Mashatile in helping Cyril Ramaphosa secure the ANC presidency in 2017.

They had orchestrated a strategic compromise, splitting Mpumalanga’s votes to avoid deepening divisions between Ramaphosa and rival Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Ramaphosa was then delivered as president.

Reflecting on a recent private meeting just weeks before Mabuza’s passing, Mantashe said they had discussed ANC matters — a sign the late leader was still politically engaged despite his retreat from public life.

Meanwhile, many described Mabuza as a committed leader who always pushed for unity and progress in his party.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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