Mbalula warns NEC: Ramaphosa resignation would ‘hurt economy’ and unsettle ANC unity

ANC warns fallout from ConCourt ruling could damage economy and party unity

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula told a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation would trigger severe economic instability and threaten the party’s unity. The session followed the Constitutional Court judgment on Parliament’s handling of an impeachment inquiry related to the Phala Phala farm matter.

NEC meeting called after ConCourt judgment

The Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally when it blocked an impeachment inquiry against Ramaphosa in December 2022, a decision that reopened pressure on the President from opposition parties and critics. The original parliamentary vote had allowed the ANC majority to reject the Section 89 panel report.

Mbalula urges Ramaphosa not to resign

At the special NEC meeting, Mbalula argued that resignation would damage the economy and break ANC unity. There were expectations that some members might call for Ramaphosa’s resignation ahead of the meeting, and the President was asked to recuse himself because the gathering concerned his future.

Analysts call the rhetoric a ‘politics of fear’

Political analyst Kim Heller described the stance as “politics of fear,” calling it a move of desperation and deception. She said:

“Despite Ramaphosa’s promises of renewal both of the ANC and South Africa, he has been a dismal failure. The ANC has lost significant support; unity is more fragile than ever before, and the economy and unemployment rates are in the ICU. Ramaphosa is no saviour, he is a risk to the well-being of the nation.”

Another analyst, Prof Andre Duvenhage, said Mbalula was using whatever argument he could to protect Ramaphosa’s position and was deflecting the issue away from the Phala Phala scandal. He said:

“Now he is putting economic things on this, and this is not a valid conclusion.”

Ramaphosa rejects calls to step down

In a national address on Monday evening, President Ramaphosa said nothing in the ConCourt judgment compels him to resign. He said stepping down would “give credence to a flawed report” and would amount to abdicating his constitutional responsibilities. The President also said he would seek a review of the 2022 independent panel report, which he said contained “grave flaws” and overstepped by finding prima facie evidence of misconduct.

ANC leadership unifies behind process

Before the NEC meeting, Mbalula and ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe publicly expressed support for Ramaphosa and confirmed he would not step down amid renewed pressure. On Newzroom Afrika, Mantashe said the ANC leadership had told Ramaphosa that simply resigning would be “devastating” for the party and that he should follow due legal process rather than taking “shortcuts.” Mantashe said Ramaphosa was “relaxed and calm” and would allow the parliamentary process to take its course.

Party discipline and parliamentary strategy

Mbalula indicated the NEC would instruct ANC MPs on how to vote and interact with parties within the Government of National Unity regarding the impeachment proceedings. ANC leaders held a briefing with the party’s parliamentary caucus to align MPs and enforce party discipline following the special NEC session.