Ramaphosa Fights Back: 'Name a Date, Stop the Cowardice' - ANC President Dares Detractors Amidst Phala Phala Scandal and Election Setback

President Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief of The Azanian

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired a warning shot at his critics, challenging them to name a date for his resignation and accusing them of discussing his exit "in dark corners like cowards".

This bold move comes as the ANC announces the outcome of the #ANCNEC vote to fill two vacancies in the National Working Committee (NWC).

However, Ramaphosa's leadership is facing intense scrutiny, with deep-rooted divisions within the ANC. The party's performance in the 2024 elections was a significant setback, securing only 40.18% of the national vote, a stark contrast to its dominant position since 1994. The ANC's decline is attributed to various factors, including internal corruption, economic challenges, and factionalism within the party.

The emergence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, has siphoned off support from the ANC, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where MK won 45.35% of the vote. This has led to the ANC losing its majority status, forcing it to form a coalition government with other parties.

The Phala Phala scandal continues to dog Ramaphosa, with allegations of corruption and misconduct surrounding the theft of $580,000 from his Limpopo game farm in February 2020. An employee has admitted to stashing the cash under couch cushions for safekeeping, sparking concerns about money laundering and bribery.

Some ANC members are unhappy with Ramaphosa's handling of the Government of National Unity, particularly his failure to reprimand the Democratic Alliance for criticizing the ANC. Others are dissatisfied with his response to the Zondo Commission and Madlanga Commission, feeling he has not done enough to address corruption allegations.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the continued protection of Ramaphosa, calling the classification of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report as "top secret" a blatant act of shielding the president from accountability.

As the drama unfolds, one thing is clear: Ramaphosa's leadership is under the microscope, and the ANC is facing a critical juncture. The party's internal divisions, corruption allegations, and poor election performance have eroded public trust. Will Ramaphosa be able to weather the storm, or will the pressure become too much to bear? Only time will tell.